Alphabetical Plant Listing

Phacelia bipinnatifida (Fernleaf Phacelia)

Fernleaf Phacelia, Fernleaf Scorpion Weed, Forest Phacelia, Spotted Phacelia, Loose-flowered Phacelia, Phacelia bipinnatifida var. plummeri, Phacelia brevistyla


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 with elegance 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 be used to 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.

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Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 8
Plant Type Annuals
Plant Family Phacelia
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm)
Spread 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spacing 36" – 48" (90cm – 120cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Northeast, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Ground Covers
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow

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Stephanie Harvey, Flickr, Dee Browning, Shutterstock

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.


Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 8
Plant Type Annuals
Plant Family Phacelia
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm)
Spread 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spacing 36" – 48" (90cm – 120cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Northeast, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Ground Covers
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow

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