Phacelia tanacetifolia. Pale, mauve-blue, fragrant flowers unfold like ferns at the top of long leafy stems and attracts bees from miles around. The delicate, lacy foliage bears a resemblance to yarrow. It fits in the vegetable garden as a cover crop or in a garden bed for quirky purple flowers. Direct sow Purple Tansy seeds at three week intervals from April to June and expect a staggered, much extended bloom period. Phacelia grows to 60cm (24″) in full sun or part shade. Plant Phacelia any place where pollination has not been sufficient, as it is such a lure for pollinators. It’s a good companion plant for any of the Cucurbits – cucumbers, melons, and squashes.
If planting as a cover crop, use 2.2kg per acre. Denser planting will control weeds.
Annual
Mark talks about Phacelia on YouTube
[description action=”end”][quickfacts action=”start quickfacts”]- Hardy annual
- Pale mauve-blue
- Attracts bees
- Grows to 60cm (24″)
- Can be used as cover crop