Bee's Friend Seeds

Common Names
Bee’s Friend, Lacy Phacelia, Phacelia, Purple Tansy, Blue Tansy, Fiddleneck

Botanical Name
Phacelia tanacetifolia

Plant Family
Boraginaceae (Borage Family)

Native Range
Southwestern US, Mexico

Life Cycle
Annual

Hardiness Zone
Zones 2-11

Habit
Reaching heights of approximately 3 to 4 feet tall and spreading out to about 1 to 1.5 feet wide, this delightful plant creates an eye-catching presence in any garden, especially when plant in groups of 3 or more. The flowers unfurl gracefully from an upward spiral shape, and the protruding, whiskery stamens contribute to a charming, hairy appearance that adds character and intrigue to the blossoms.

Sun/Soil
Full sun. Average soil. Drought tolerant.

Germination/Sowing
Seeds germinate best when direct sown in the garden in early spring. Can be fall sown in zones 5+.

Growing/Care
Plants will self-seed and return the following year. Cut back after flowering if you are concerned about it spreading too much and getting weedy.

Harvesting
N/A

Culinary Uses
N/A

Medicinal Uses
N/A

Other Uses
The flowers are used in cut flower arrangements.

The flowers produce both pollen and nectar and are very attractive to a wide range of pollinators. Grown as a commercial forage crop for bees. It is also grown as a green manure because of its nitrogen holding capacity and high biomass.

Themes
Low Maintenance, Deer Resistant, Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers.