Other Names:  Scorpion Weed, Forest Phacelia, Spotted Phacelia

Description:

A biennial native woodland wildflower featuring a loose, open habit and ferny, bright green leaves; a profusion of lavender to deep blue-violet flowers appear in spring to early summer of its second year; readily self sows, keeping its presence

Ornamental Features

Fernleaf Phacelia features showy racemes of purple buttercup flowers with lavender overtones and white eyes at the ends of the stems from early spring to early summer. Its attractive ferny compound leaves remain light green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Fernleaf Phacelia is an open herbaceous biennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Self-Seeding

Fernleaf Phacelia is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Fernleaf Phacelia will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 3 feet apart. It grows at a fast rate, and tends to be biennial, meaning that it puts on vegetative growth the first year, flowers the second, and then dies. However, this species tends to self-seed and will thereby endure for years in the garden if allowed.

This plant does best in partial shade to full shade. Keep it well away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of North America..