Alphabetical Plant Listing

Phacelia tanacetifolia (Fiddleneck)

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


Native to the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico, Phacelia tanacetifolia (Fiddleneck) is a terrific beneficial-insect plant and one of the very 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 but allows 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 on 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.

 

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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 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 – 37cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, California, Midwest, Kansas, Michigan, Northeast, Maine, Massachusetts, Pacific Northwest, Oregon, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden

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Pictures are courtesy of David Austin Roses, 123rf

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 – 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 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 – 37cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, California, Midwest, Kansas, Michigan, Northeast, Maine, Massachusetts, Pacific Northwest, Oregon, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden

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