California Native Annual Wildflower
Lacy Phacelia
Phacelia tanacetifolia
Also known as Tansy-leaf Phacelia
A highly attractive California native annual with fern-like foliage and curling clusters of lavender-blue flowers
Lacy Phacelia is a fast-growing California native annual recognized for its finely divided, fern-like foliage and distinctive coiled flower clusters. As the curled flower heads gradually unfurl, numerous lavender-blue flowers open with long projecting stamens that give the blooms their characteristic delicate appearance. Lacy Phacelia is particularly valuable in pollinator plantings, California native wildflower mixes and diversified agricultural landscapes.
Wildflower Characteristics
Why Plant Lacy Phacelia?
Lacy Phacelia combines California native value, exceptional pollinator attraction and an unusual flower form with useful agricultural characteristics.
California Native
A native annual found naturally in California and other parts of western North America.
Strong Pollinator Value
Lavender-blue flowers are highly attractive to bees and help provide floral resources for a diverse range of beneficial insects.
Fern-Like Foliage
Deeply divided leaves create the fine, lacy texture responsible for the species' common name.
Cover Crop Potential
Beyond ornamental use, Lacy Phacelia can also function as a fast-growing cover crop for erosion control, nutrient scavenging and soil improvement.
Where It Fits
Best Uses for Lacy Phacelia
Lacy Phacelia is unusually versatile, fitting into both ornamental wildflower plantings and agricultural pollinator or cover crop systems.
Establishment & Management
Growing Lacy Phacelia
Lacy Phacelia establishes rapidly from seed and performs best where good seed-to-soil contact, adequate establishment moisture and reasonable soil drainage are available.
California Planting Window
Fall planting works particularly well in many Mediterranean-climate areas of California, allowing seasonal rainfall to support establishment and spring flowering.
Planting Depth
Seed shallowly. When drill-seeded, approximately 1/4 inch is an appropriate planting depth. Avoid placing the small seed excessively deep.
Soil & Drainage
Lacy Phacelia performs best on reasonably well-drained soils. Maintain adequate moisture during germination and early growth.
Reseeding Management
Allow flowers to mature and set seed where natural reseeding is desired. Terminate or mow before mature seed development where volunteers are not wanted.
Wildflower + Working Cover Crop
More Than Just a Pollinator Flower
Lacy Phacelia stands out because it can serve more than one purpose. Its lavender-blue flowers provide valuable pollinator habitat, while its fast annual growth and extensive root system make it useful in cover crop systems. This combination gives the species a strong fit in California native wildflower plantings, orchards, vineyards and diversified agricultural landscapes.
Looking for Lacy Phacelia Seed?
Contact Weaver Seed for current availability, quantities, packaging or help incorporating Lacy Phacelia into a California native, pollinator, cover crop or custom seed mixture.
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