Pollinator 'Bee's Friend'

Bee’s Friends (Phacelia tanacetifolia)

Bee’s Friends enchants with delicate, ferny foliage and lavender-blue blooms that unfurl like tiny fiddleheads, bringing texture, colour, and movement to garden borders, cottage beds, or pollinator-friendly landscapes. This fast-growing annual is a magnet for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making it a cherished companion for both flower and vegetable gardens. Its airy, whimsical appearance pairs beautifully with soft cosmos, creamy amaranths, or golden California poppies, adding contrast and natural charm to any planting.

Also known as Lacy Phacelia, Fiddleneck, or Purple Tansy, Bee’s Friends thrives in poor soils and is remarkably easy to grow. Its long-lasting, prolific blooms attract pollinators throughout the season, enriching the garden with gentle life and activity. Perfect for gardeners seeking beauty, texture, and ecological harmony, this charming annual brings vibrancy, movement, and timeless appeal to every floral and vegetable landscape.

Details:

QTY: 100

TYPE: Hardy Annual

SITE: Full Sun

DEPTH:  1/8-1/4"

GERMINATION: 12 - 30 Days at 18-21°C

HEIGHT: 24"

MATURITY: 55 - 65 Days

SPACING: 4 - 8"

PINCH: No

HOW TO GROW:
Direct Seed (recommended): Phacelia performs best when direct sown. Sow outdoors in late fall for germination in early spring, or in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Plant seeds ¼–½" deep, spacing 6–12 seeds per foot in rows 12–18" apart, or broadcast widely for a naturalized look. Lightly cover the seeds as they need some light to germinate. Once seedlings have developed a few true leaves, thin them to a final spacing of 4–8" apart.

Transplanting (not recommended): Phacelia forms a delicate root system that is sensitive to disturbance. Direct seeding is highly preferred for successful establishment and will produce stronger plants.

Pinching: Pinching is not necessary for Phacelia.

Soil Preference and Watering: Phacelia is adaptable and will thrive in a wide range of soil types, including poor or sandy soil, but prefers well-drained soil. Water consistently during germination and establishment. Once mature, it is quite drought tolerant and performs best in full sun.

Fertilizing: Fertilizing is not required for Phacelia. It performs best in lean soils. Too much fertility can lead to weak, leggy growth.

Harvesting: For bouquets, harvest stems when the flowers are fully open. Phacelia is an excellent pollinator plant, so consider leaving some flowers in the garden to support bees and other beneficial insects.

Other Tips: Phacelia is an excellent cover crop and pollinator plant. It is also deer resistant. In warmer regions, it may self-seed, creating a naturalized look the following season.