Phacelia is a versatile plant that is used for bee forage, cover crop, erosion control, hay and forage. Phacelia is a top choice for pollinators. This guide growing plant has ample amounts of feathering lavender-blue fragrant flowers that attract bees and other beneficial bugs. Phacelia also has a great root structure for breaking up clay-type soils and it absorbs excess nitrogen and calcium that are in your soil.
Product Information
- Application or Use: Pasture, Livestock Grazing, Hay Production, Cover Crop, Erosion Control, Cattle Forage, Bee Forage
- Germination Time: 21 - 28 days, under optimal conditions
- Growing Locations: Cool Season & Transition Zone
- Height: 2 - 3 feet
- Sunlight Requirements: 8+ hours, full sun for best results
- Advantages: Quick to grow and flower; used widely as pollinator attractant.
- When to Plant: See Instructions Tab.
Product Detail
- Attracts bees and other beneficial bugs
- Used for bee forage, cover crop, erosion control and hay
- Grows well in dry soil
- Full sun
- Cold and drought tolerant
Product Information
Phacelia is also being increasingly used in California – especially in vineyards. Phacelia is quick to grow and flower and grows well in dry soil. It does a good job of limiting nitrate leaching when planted in early fall. It winterkills at about 18°F. In cooler regions, it can be used as a between cash crops cover crop in the summer. Phacelia is listed as one of the top 20 honey-producing flowers for honeybees and is also highly attractive to bumblebees and syrphid (hover) flies. Phacelia’s habit of flowering abundantly and for a long period can increase beneficial insect numbers and diversity, because it provides high quality nectar and pollen. It’s also useful as a cut flower with its unusual and attractive blooms, strong stems, and long vase life. Because Phacelia germinates well at cool temperatures and grows quickly, cut flowers can be available by mid-spring.
Phacelia is a small seeded annual herb primarily used as a pollinator attractant. Due to the small seed size, it is coated using standard lime-based coating.
Phacelia tanacetifolia is in herbaceous, non-leguminous, flowering annual in the Hydrophyllaceae family. It’s native to the arid Southwest region of the United States and Mexico. Height ranges from 6 to 47 inches. The foliage appears ferny, and the flowers are in flat-topped clusters in shades of purple or occasionally white. Spring- and summer-planted Phacelia flowers approximately 6 to 8 weeks after germination. Flowering continues for 6 to 8 weeks. Phacelia is a long-day plant and requires a minimum of 13 hours of daylight to initiate flowering (roughly mid-April to early September in the mid-Atlantic).
Phacelia is comparable to buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) in many ways. Cultural differences are that buckwheat germinates more readily - especially at higher soil temperatures, and Phacelia is more tolerant of cold and drought.
Phacelia seed needs dark for good germination - bury the seed a 1/4 inch. Phacelia seed also requires cool soil temperatures for germination (although it will grow well in hot, dry soil). Research reports indicate the optimum soil temperature for germination is between 37 to 68°F. Wet or compacted soils reduced germination success.
Phacelia is highly attractive to honeybees, bumblebees, and syrphid flies, and these insects are valuable pollinators. It provides both pollen (for protein - needed for egg production) and nectar (for carbohydrates - needed for energy).
Insectary plants are those with high volume, quality nectar and/or pollen that are extremely attractive to beneficial insects. They are planted for the primary purpose of attracting pollinators, and predators and parasites of past insects. Phacelia‘s habit of quick growth and long flowering make it highly suitable as an insectary plant.
Phacelia may be suitable as a winter-killed cover crop when a heavy crop residue is not needed in the spring. Research in other regions shows Phacelia has the potential to produce abundant biomass and does a good job at catching excess nitrates before they leach into groundwater. Phacelia winterkills at about 18°F, and the residue breaks down quickly. Its use as a fall/winter cover crop may be appropriate when it will be followed by a vigorous cash crop (e.g. potatoes) in early spring.
*Product packaging may appear different than what is pictured.
Wildflower Planting Time Based on Region:
Southeast
- Fall, Winter: Sowing wildflowers in Fall/Winter is the ideal time in the Southeast, with October 1 – December 31 being the best dates. The weather is ideal for starting seeds, and seedlings can grow and harden off before frost.
- Spring: A good time to plant wildflowers, especially annual species that flower quickly. Plant after the last frost date when soil temperatures have warmed to around 55°F, typically occurring within a month or so after the final frost of winter; this ensures the seeds can germinate properly without being affected by cold weather.
- Summer: You can plant wildflower seeds in the summer, but the hot sun can dry out the soil and stress your seedlings. Summer is a good time to plant quick-growing annual wildflowers.
Southwest
- Fall: A good time to plant spring wildflowers in the desert Southwest. Fall's cooler temperatures and seasonal rains help seeds germinate. In the mountains, you can plant after spring frosts.
- Winter: In areas that get snow, winter seeding can give seeds an advantage in the spring.
- Spring: A popular time to plant wildflowers in most states. You can plant after the last frost and when the soil temperature is at least 55°F. In warmer climates, you can plant at the end of the rainy season.
- Summer: You can plant wildflower seeds in the summer, but the hot sun can dry out the soil and stress your seedlings. Summer is a good time to plant quick-growing annual wildflowers.
Northeast
- Fall, Winter: The best time to plant wildflowers in the Northeast is in late fall, after the first frost but before heavy snow. This is known as dormant seeding and can take place from November to December. Cold temperatures and damp soil during the winter help wildflower seeds germinate.
- Spring: Plant in early spring, after the ground has thawed and soil temperatures reach around 55-65°F. This is a popular time to plant wildflowers because it's typically rainier, which helps water seedlings.
- Summer: You can plant wildflower seeds in the summer, but the hot sun can dry out the soil and stress your seedlings. Summer is a good time to plant quick-growing annual wildflowers.
Midwest
- Fall, Winter: Plant in late fall (November–December) after the first frost. The seeds will overwinter and germinate in the spring. Fall planting is a good option for cooler climates and can give the seeds an early start in the spring.
- Spring: Plant in early spring (April–May) after the last frost when the soil temperature is consistently above 55°F. Spring is a popular time to plant because the soil is usually moist from rain, and you can see the wildflowers grow right away.
- Summer: You can plant wildflower seeds in the summer, but the hot sun can dry out the soil and stress your seedlings. Summer is a good time to plant quick-growing annual wildflowers.
Western
- Fall, Winter: Plant in late fall (November–December) after the first frost. The seeds will overwinter and germinate in the spring. Fall planting is a good option for cooler climates and can give the seeds an early start in the spring.
- Spring: Plant in early spring (April–May) after the last frost when the soil temperature is consistently above 55°F. Spring is a popular time to plant because the soil is usually moist from rain, and you can see the wildflowers grow right away.
- Summer: You can plant wildflower seeds in the summer, but the hot sun can dry out the soil and stress your seedlings. Summer is a good time to plant quick-growing annual wildflowers.
Pacific Northwest
- Fall, Winter: Plant in late fall (November–December) after the first frost. The seeds will overwinter and germinate in the spring. Fall planting is a good option for cooler climates and can give the seeds an early start in the spring.
- Spring: Plant in early spring (April–May) after the last frost when the soil temperature is consistently above 55°F. Spring is a popular time to plant because the soil is usually moist from rain, and you can see the wildflowers grow right away.
- Summer: In cooler zones with higher elevation, you can plant wildflowers in late spring to early summer, after the risk of frost has passed. You can plant wildflower seeds in the summer, but the hot sun can dry out the soil and stress your seedlings. Summer is a good time to plant quick-growing annual wildflowers.
Instructions:
Phacelia seed should be broadcast on a finely prepared seedbed. A cultipacker or rake can be used to bury the seed to a ¼ inch. If possible, lightly irrigate. Phacelia is best planted when the soil temperature is between 37 - 68°F. Research reports show the seeding rate for Phacelia when used as a cover crop as 11 - 18 lbs./acre. Use 7 - 12 lbs./ac if drilling. Use the higher seeding rate to increase Phacelia’s weed suppressing abilities.
When used as a fall/winter catch crop, Phacelia needs to be planted as early as possible in the fall. Phacelia winterkills at 18°F and the residue breaks down quickly. An early spring crop can be planted into the residue.
Phacelia Wildflower Seed - Coated
Phacelia Seed - Coated is out of stock for the season. Check out Bee Seed For Homestead, Animal, & Garden here. Call our office with any questions (800-552-1027). Phacelia is a versatile plant that is used for bee forage, cover crop, erosion control, hay and forage. Phacelia is a top choice for pollinators. This guide growing plant has ample amounts of feathering lavender-blue fragrant flowers that attract bees and other beneficial bugs. Phacelia also has a great root structure for breaking up clay-type soils and it absorbs excess nitrogen and calcium that are in your soil.
Instructions
For more info on planting instructions and tips for the best results – check out our Warranty & Planting Information here!
Wildflower Planting Time Based on Region: Southeast Fall, Winter: Sowing wildflowers in Fall/Winter is the ideal time in the Southeast, with October 1 – December 31 being the best dates. The weather is ideal for starting seeds, and seedlings can grow and...
Phacelia Wildflower Seed - Coated
14Phacelia Seed - Coated is out of stock for the season. Check out Bee Seed For Homestead, Animal, & Garden here. Call our office with any questions (800-552-1027). Phacelia is a versatile plant that is used for bee forage, cover crop, erosion control, hay and forage. Phacelia is a top choice for pollinators. This guide growing plant has ample amounts of feathering lavender-blue fragrant flowers that attract bees and other beneficial bugs. Phacelia also has a great root structure for breaking up clay-type soils and it absorbs excess nitrogen and calcium that are in your soil.
