Phacelia bipinnatifida (Fernleaf Phacelia)
Adding delicate spring color in 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 primarily bees, 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.
Requirements
Hardiness | 5 – 8 |
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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 |