Phacelia, Lacy Flowers

The Lacy Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia), also known as Scorpionweed and Purple Tansy, is a fast-growing, drought-tolerant, cold-hardy annual in the borage family. Produces coiled, whiskered lavender-colored blossoms that look similar to a scorpion tail, fiddlehead, or thistle. Grows 2'-3' tall on thin, hairy stems with lacy foliage. Plant a few or a field, or add a bit of wildness to a cut arrangement. An especially great companion plant in the vegetable garden as it’s quick to bloom, attracts bees and hoverflies, and stores nitrogen which also makes it a good cover crop.

• Life cycle: Annual
• Bloom season: Summer
• Attracts: Hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, beneficial insects, and other pollinators
• Flower meaning: Determination, endurance, resistance, strength

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Phacelia tanacetifolia
• Hardiness zones: 3-10
• Planting season: Spring, fall
• Days to maturity: 42-55 days
• Cold stratify: No
• Depth to plant seeds: 1/4" deep
• Spacing between plants: 3"-10" apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 7-21 days
• Germination soil temps: 40F-65F
• Soil types: Sandy, loamy, silty, rocky, chalky, moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.0-8.5
• Water needs: Average
• Sun needs: Full sun
• Frost tolerant: Yes
• Drought tolerant: Yes
• Deer resistant: Yes