Description
LACY PHACELIA (Phacelia tanacetifolia), known as Bee's Friend or "Bienen-freund" in Germany where it grows wild, as Fernleaf Fiddleneck and also as Purple Tansy. It is usually found listed here as a cover crop, and will strongly attract bees to your garden who pollinate this hermaphrodite and hoverflies which eat aphids. Related to borage. With so many mysterious ailments attacking our precious and vital bee populations, we need to do everything we can to keep them (and our crops) happy! Subtle lavender-blue flowers with curved spikes will be absolutely covered by many different species of bees and exquisitely beautiful sown in drifts. Self-Seeding Annual. 12-24" tall. Hardy to zone 0. 100 Seeds.
GROWING TIPS: Easy to grow and grows anywhere, from Alaska to the South. Direct sow after last frost. Not fussy about soil type, although it can't grow in shade and does require good drainage and moist soil. Also makes a great green manure if you turn under before it blossoms. Left to flower, it will often self-sow.