Phacelia

( fas - SEEL - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of flowering annuals needs little to moderate water and full sun. The flowers will attract beneficial insects to your garden, and they are easy to grow. Take care when planting these flowers in your garden, as all parts of the plant can cause an allergic rash to form on exposed skin. Flowers come in varying shades of blue, and bloom in springtime. 

Phacelia Species and Varietals

Phacelia grows best in zones 1-3 and 7-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Phacelia campanularia (California Desert Bluebells)
This native to the California desert areas reaches 6-18 inches tall and wide, with coarse grey-green leaves. Springtime flowers are deep blue and bell-shaped and have white dots at the base of each petal.

Phacelia tanacetifolia (Lacy Phacelia)
Native to northern Mexico as well as the deserts of southern California, this species reaches 1-4 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide. The plants have fernlike leaves and flowers are lavender-blue and bloom in coiled clusters at stem tips. They are very attractive to bees and other insects.

Caring for Phacelia

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 497, Phacelia
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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