Phacelia tanacetifolia

Lacy Phacelia is one of those gloriously useful plants that also happens to be a looker. Phacelia tanacetifolia makes a soft, airy mound of finely cut, ferny foliage, then sends up curled sprays of lavender-blue flowers bristling with long stamens and absolutely alive with bees and other beneficial insects. Fast growing and easy from seed, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and is often grown as both an ornamental annual and a pollinator-friendly cover crop. Expect a loose, meadowy plant about 1' to 3' tall, with a wonderfully wild charm that suits cottage gardens, naturalistic plantings, and any spot that could use a little buzz and softness.

Want to bring even more bees and beneficial insects into your garden? Checkout Phacelia campanularia and Phacelia viscida for more nectar-rich favorites.

The curled flower clusters unfurl as they bloom, creating a fascinating fiddlehead effect above finely divided, fernlike foliage. Reaching roughly 2–3 feet tall, Lacy Phacelia has enough height to weave through a meadow planting without becoming visually heavy. The lavender-blue flowers also make an airy, unusual addition to casual bouquets.

Its real party trick is the traffic it attracts. In bloom, the plants can hum with bees and beneficial insects, making this a particularly useful annual for pollinator gardens, habitat plantings, and sunny vegetable-garden edges where beauty and insect activity are equally welcome.

Explore more plants for pollinators and wildlife.