Phacelia bipinnatifida (Fernleaf Phacelia)

Adding delicate spring color to the shade garden, Phacelia bipinnatifida (Fernleaf Phacelia) is a biennial woodland wildflower of loose, open-branched habit boasting a profusion of pale lavender to deep blue-violet flowers, 1/2 in. across (1 cm), held in elongated racemes of 4-12 blossoms. The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract bees primarily but also butterflies, skippers, and wasps. Blooming for about 4 weeks in early spring to early summer, they rise elegantly on hairy stems clad with light green leaves, 5 in. long (12 cm), pinnately divided into 3-5 deeply lobed leaflets. Since Fernleaf Phacelia is a biennial plant, it produces foliage in the first year and flowers in the second year. It dies soon after it blooms. However, Fernleaf Phacelia readily self-sows, always keeping a charming presence in the landscape. It can quickly cover a shady garden spot in a sea of purple-blue flowers.

• Grow up to 1-3 ft. tall (30-90 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm).
• Thrives in part shade in organically rich, moist, acidic, well-drained soils.
• An excellent choice as a groundcover for naturalistic or woodland settings.
• No serious pest or disease issues.
• Propagate by seed. Because it self-sows so freely, it is often easiest to bypass seed collection and simply transplant the self-sown seedlings.
• Native to the southeastern United States.