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Phacelia tanacetifolia (Fiddleneck)

Fiddleneck, Scorpion Weed, Purple Tansy, Lacy Phacelia, Fernleaf Fiddleneck

Phacelia Tanacetifolia, Fiddleneck, Scorpion Weed, Purple Tansy, Lacy Phacelia, Fernleaf Fiddleneck, Purple Flowers, Purple annual
Phacelia Tanacetifolia, Fiddleneck, Scorpion Weed, Purple Tansy, Lacy Phacelia, Fernleaf Fiddleneck, Purple Flowers, Purple annual
Phacelia Tanacetifolia, Fiddleneck, Scorpion Weed, Purple Tansy, Lacy Phacelia, Fernleaf Fiddleneck, Purple Flowers, Purple annual

Native to the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico, Phacelia tanacetifolia (Fiddleneck) is a terrific beneficial insect plant and one of the best bee plants. It is also very ornamental with its abundant and long-lasting fiddlehead clusters of lavender-blue, bell-shaped flowers with long stamens that gracefully extend well beyond the flowers. Blooming from late spring to early fall (up to 5 months!), they rise elegantly above the fine, feathery, tansy-like foliage.

This hardy annual plant is a great garden asset, planted to attract pollinators, as well as predators and parasites of insect pests. It also creates a dense carpet that shades and holds the soil, allowing moisture to trickle through.

  • Fast grower, up to 1-4 ft. tall (30-120 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm), it thrives in full sun and prefers poor, rocky, sandy, well-drained soils.
  • Low maintenance and highly disease and pest-free, this plant is also drought tolerant.
  • An excellent choice for mixed borders, cottage gardens, city gardens, wildlife gardens, or prairie gardens. Great as fresh-cut flowers with unusual and attractive blooms, strong stems, and long vase life (up to 5 days).
  • Highly attractive to bumblebees and syrphid (hover) flies (regarded as one of the top 20 honey-producing flowers for honeybees). Syrphid fly larvae are voracious feeders of aphids and young caterpillars.
  • Attracts scores of beneficial insects, such as parasitic wasps and minute pirate bugs. It provides insects with both pollen and nectar. Deer resistant!
  • Plant in early spring or fall in mild winter areas. Can reappear year after year by self-seeding
  • Contact with skin may cause irritation
  • Native to the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 10
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Annuals
Plant Family Boraginaceae
Genus Phacelia
Common names Scorpion Weed, Phacelia, Lacy Phacelia
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 4'
(30cm - 120cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" - 15"
(30cm - 40cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, Maine, Massachusetts, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, Northeast, California, Southwest, Michigan, Kansas, Oregon, Arizona, Nevada
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Phacelia bipinnatifida (Fernleaf Phacelia)
Phacelia californica (California Phacelia)
Phacelia hastata (Silverleaf Phacelia)
Phacelia campanularia (Desert Bluebell)
Phacelia sericea (Silky Phacelia)

Recommended Companion Plants

Rosa Crocus Rose (English Rose)
Rosa Princess Alexandra of Kent (English Rose)
Papaver rhoeas (Flanders Poppy)
Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ (Sage)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

A Fabulous Duo: Rose ‘Princess Alexandra of Kent’ & Phacelia tanacetifolia
A Fabulous Duo: Rose ‘Crocus Rose’ & Phacelia tanacetifolia
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 10
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Annuals
Plant Family Boraginaceae
Genus Phacelia
Common names Scorpion Weed, Phacelia, Lacy Phacelia
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 4'
(30cm - 120cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" - 15"
(30cm - 40cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, Maine, Massachusetts, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, Northeast, California, Southwest, Michigan, Kansas, Oregon, Arizona, Nevada
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Phacelia to pick?
Compare Now

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