This easy-to-grow annual is one of the best pollinator attractors of all. Bees simply love the ample, long-lasting, purple flowers. It is often called Phacelia, Purple Tansy, Scorpion flower, or heliotrope. It is easy to plant and grow Phacelia from seed.
Latin
Phacelia tanacetifolia
Family: Boraginaceae
Difficulty
Easy
Season & Zone
Exposure: Full sun
Timing
There is no real need to start Phacelia indoors. Direct sow every couple of weeks from last frost to mid-June. This will produce a summer full of flowers and flowers full of pollinators. Seeds will germinate in 12-30 days.
Starting
Sow 5mm (¼”) deep, and space or thin to 10-20cm (4-8″) apart.
Growing
Ordinary, well-drained garden soil is what makes Phacelia thrive. It will die back during a long, hot stretch of weather, so it’s ideal for the cooler seasons of spring and fall. Phacelia plants may self sow.
Note: Some people have a bad skin reaction to the plants, so wear gloves when pulling out finished plants.