Annual. Also called Fiddleneck and Purple Tansy. The small frizzy curling lavender-blue sprays of this bushy 18–30" annual bloom for two months and provide high-quality pollen and nectar, making it one of the most popular insectary plants for honeybees, bumblebees and syrphid flies. Phacelia honey is clear and delicate. Flowering begins 6–8 weeks after germination, though the plant needs 13 hours of daylight to bloom. Used as a cover crop or intercropped in row plantings, it can increase beneficial insect diversity and populations in gardens, fields, orchards and vineyards while suppressing weeds. It winter kills at 18° and can be turned under. Feathery leaves look similar to Sweet Cicely. Seed will germinate in cold soils, but requires darkness. Native to southwestern US and northern Mexico. Thrives in dry to moist soils. About 280 seeds/g. Especially attractive to pollinators. ②
Phacelia
Phacelia
Annual. Also called Fiddleneck and Purple Tansy. The small frizzy curling lavender-blue sprays of this bushy 18–30" annual bloom for two months and provide high-quality pollen and nectar, making it one of the most popular insectary plants for honeybees, bumblebees and syrphid flies. Phacelia honey is clear and delicate. Flowering begins 6–8 weeks after germination, though the plant needs 13 hours of daylight to bloom. Used as a cover crop or intercropped in row plantings, it can increase beneficial insect diversity and populations in gardens, fields, orchards and vineyards while suppressing weeds. It winter kills at 18° and can be turned under. Feathery leaves look similar to Sweet Cicely. Seed will germinate in cold soils, but requires darkness. Native to southwestern US and northern Mexico. Thrives in dry to moist soils. About 280 seeds/g. Especially attractive to pollinators. ②
Additional Information
Flowers
All flowers are open-pollinated except where noted.
Days in parentheses after a variety indicate days to first bloom.
Germination Testing
For the latest results of our germination tests, please see the germination page.
Our Seeds are Non-GMO
All of our seeds are non-GMO, and free of neonicotinoids and fungicides. Fedco is one of the original companies to sign the Safe Seed Pledge.