Bee’s Friend

Phacelia tanacetifolia

Features

  • Easy to grow
  • Foliage & Filler
  • Fragrant
  • Medium producer
  • Pollinator-friendly

Description

One of the most pollinator- and beneficial-insect-friendly flowers that you can grow, this medium-size plant is a must-have for any garden. Exceptionally interesting, curling flowers are held above lacy, fern-like foliage. Blooms are a soft periwinkle blue-purple and smell like grape candy. In addition to being a favorite with the insects, bee’s friend makes a delightful, long-lasting cut flower.

Details

Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 18 to 30 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 45 to 60 days
Plant spacing: 6 to 9 in
Pinch: not necessary

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Direct-seed in the spring as soon as all danger of frost has passed. Cover seeds with soil, as they need darkness to germinate.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest stems when flowers are just beginning to open. Expect a 7 to 10 day vase life.

Details

Description

One of the most pollinator- and beneficial-insect-friendly flowers that you can grow, this medium-size plant is a must-have for any garden. Exceptionally interesting, curling flowers are held above lacy, fern-like foliage. Blooms are a soft periwinkle blue-purple and smell like grape candy. In addition to being a favorite with the insects, bee’s friend makes a delightful, long-lasting cut flower.

Details

Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 18 to 30 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 45 to 60 days
Plant spacing: 6 to 9 in
Pinch: not necessary

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Direct-seed in the spring as soon as all danger of frost has passed. Cover seeds with soil, as they need darkness to germinate.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest stems when flowers are just beginning to open. Expect a 7 to 10 day vase life.

Sources

How to Grow

Fall Mini Course

Learn how to successfully dig, divide & store dahlias for an abundance of blooms year after year

In our free, three-part video series, you’ll learn how and when to dig up your dahlia tuber clumps, how to divide dahlias to multiply your stock, and how to successfully store dahlias for an abundance of blooms year after year.