Biological Name:
Phacelia spp. (Smallflowered-Phacelia)
Natural Habitat:
Smallflowered-Phacelia: This plant is native to North America and can be found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, forests, and moist soils.
Description:
Smallflowered-Phacelia also known as Phacelia is a plant that is native to grassland and prairie regions of North America. It is an annual herb that can grow up to two feet tall and it has small delicate leaves and small white or purple flowers that bloom in the summer. The plant is known for its small delicate flowers and it is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is lacy phacelia invasive?
A: Lacy phacelia may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed.
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Q: Why do farmers grow phacelia?
A: Phacelia is effective at preventing nitrogen leaching and suppressing weeds, due to its fast establishment. Although not known as a deep rooted species, its dense zone of shallow roots are very good at conditioning the top 3-4cm of soil. It’s a good source of pollen and nectar for pollinators and other beneficals.
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Q: Does phacelia grow in shade?
A: How to grow phacelia. Sow phacelia seed where you want it to flower, in well-prepared soil in full sun. Water in dry conditions only.
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Q: How long does it take for lacy phacelia to bloom?
A: Phacelia generally starts to bloom approximately sixty days from gemination, and will flower once the days are long. It requires about thirteen hours of daylight to begin flowering. Once it starts to bloom it will continue for an extended period of time, often for a four to six week period.
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Q: What does phacelia Tanacetifolia look like?
A: This is a 1-3 ft., annual phacelia with divided, feathery, clasping, tansy-like leaves covered with short, stiff hairs. The lavender-blue, bell-shaped flowers occur in fiddlehead clusters near the tops of the stems. Long stamens and styles extend well beyond the flowers.
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Q: How long does it take for phacelia to flower?
A: It flowers from 6-8 weeks from sowing for a period of 6-8 weeks. Phacelia is listed as one of the top 20 honey-producing flowers for honeybees and is very attractive to bumblebees and hoverflies.
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Q: Is phacelia a wildflower?
A: The lacy phacelia flower is a 1 to 3 foot (0.5-1 m.), leggy wildflower with a bloom that looks similar to a thistle. It is a heavy nectar producer. An attractive addition to the ornamental bed, you might want to plant some of the purple tansy wildflowers to attract pollinators.
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Q: Where is phacelia Tanacetifolia native to?
A: It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, but it is now used in many places in agriculture as a cover crop, a bee plant, an attractant for other beneficial insects, and an ornamental plant.
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Q: Does phacelia come back every year?
A: Like many hardy annuals Phacelia is a cut and come again flower, so you will get armfuls of the beautiful blighters all season long, even from a modest patch.
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Q: Why do farmers plant phacelia?
A: Phacelia is effective at preventing nitrogen leaching and suppressing weeds, due to its fast establishment. Although not known as a deep rooted species, its dense zone of shallow roots are very good at conditioning the top 3-4cm of soil. It’s a good source of pollen and nectar for pollinators and other beneficals.
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Q: When should phacelia be planted?
A: Sow in spring onwards as a green manure. Make sure seed is well covered, because phacelia seeds need darkness to germinate.
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Q: How quickly does phacelia grow?
A: Phacelia Green Manure Seed Information March to September. Growing period: 1-3 months.
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Q: How long does it take for phacelia to bloom?
A: There is no real need to start Phacelia indoors. Direct sow every couple of weeks from last frost to mid-June. This will produce a summer full of flowers and flowers full of pollinators. Seeds will germinate in 12-30 days.
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Q: How tall does phacelia get?
A: Phacelia grows up to 1m tall and is fast growing which makes it a great cover or green-manure crop. The root system of Phacelia although not particularly extensive has a beneficial effect on soil structure and is useful in breaking up clay soils.
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Q: What color is phacelia?
A: Phacelia Bicolor, Twocolor Phacelia The species name of phacelia bicolor refers to the color of the bell- or funnel-shaped corolla; the tube is yellow while the five rounded lobes are purple, withering to blue. The yellow part is crossed by thin, lengthwise, purple veins.
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Q: Does phacelia grow in shade?
A: Phacelia like full sun. While they will tolerate partial shade, they tend to become a bit leggy if not in a sunny position. Lacy Phacelia is well known for its ability to attract pollinators. Many people like to plant Phacelia tanacetifolia near their veggie patch or ornamental gardens.
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