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| Phacelia |
I had a small packet of wildflower seed mix that had been given to me, a couple of years ago, which M scattered around one side of the small vegetable plot. I didn't keep the seed packet or a record of what seeds it contained, other than California poppy. So, when a couple of plants with lacy leaves began to grow, I wondered if they were a variety of yarrow. But, yarrow leaves are more feathery and soon, it became apparent they weren't a type of yarrow:
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| Not Yarrow Leaves! |
Not only were the leaves different, the flower head looked very different, too!
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| Blurry Cluster of Flower Buds |
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The First Flowers Open
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| Lilac Colored Flowers |
My clue to identifying them were the lilac colored flowers and the long stamens.
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| Phacelia |
As the individual flowers opened, the tightly clustered flower stems opened out, too.
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| Phacelia Flower Clusters |
According to what I read online, the plant is in the same family as borage and is also known by several common names including purple tansy and scorpion weed. The flowers provide a lot of nectar and bees like them. They also make long lasting cut flowers and I can attest to that, because I cut a stem more than a week ago and it is still looking quite fresh. The plants themselves are very attractive and I wouldn't mind encouraging them to grow throughout the garden. I am unable to identify which species these are with certainty, but, I rather suspect them to be Lacy Phacelia.
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| Lacy Phacelia? |
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| But, definitely Phacelia! |
These plants are not edible (as far as I know), but, since they attract bees and other pollinators, they are good companion plants to be grown around vegetables. Apparently, they are also grown as a cover crop or for green manure.
Have you grown phacelia plants?
How fascinating! I have never grown these, but first came across them last year and read up a lot about them then. Then, at around the same time, I spotted them on Maggie's blog - she had seen them at a stately home and also was unfamiliar!
ReplyDeletePhotos here:
https://flowers-of-progress.blogspot.com/2020/07/blue-fields-and-butterflies.html
Oh, your fields of phacelia are so beautiful! Thank you for providing the link to your post - I just left a comment. :)
DeleteI was just about to say that Lady Ella mentioned phacelia some months ago on her blog but she's beat me to it! I don't recognise it at all but it is very pretty.
DeleteThank you, Eileen. Yes, I checked out her post and those fields of flowers are beautiful!
DeleteThanks both - and thank you Eileen for remembering that post!
DeleteI am not familiar with Phacelia but it was fun seeing how the cluster of flowers open in your pictures. From what I can read, it seeds easily, so I think you will have success planting it in other parts of your garden.
ReplyDeleteYes, I, too, enjoyed seeing how the flowers open up! I'm going to see if I can collect the seeds; if not, I shall try to buy a packet or two to plant, next year. :)
DeleteThey sure are pretty!
ReplyDeleteThey are, aren't they? They are supposed to attract bees, but, the bees in my garden seem more interested in the lemon flowers, right now!
DeleteThey are really pretty flowers! I have not noticed any bees around lately. Hopefully it is just too early
ReplyDeleteThey are pretty, aren't they? I think all the bees are here, in my garden, enjoying the lemon flowers!
DeleteI've never encountered Phacelia and it must have been fun watching to see what kind of flowers would open. Anything that attracts bees and pollinating insects is good to grow.
ReplyDeleteOne of our "maple crew" is getting his vaccine today. We are now finding out who is over 80 in our community! Next month will be our turn.
I was very curious to see what the flowers looked like, because when I first identified it, going by the leaves, the pictures I saw online didn't really show what the unopened flower head looked like, so I wasn't quite sure. But, yes, anything that attracts bees and other beneficial insects is good.
DeleteGlad to hear that people in your community are getting vaccinated as they become eligible. :)
Oh, they are beautiful! I think I'm going to sow some seeds this weekend. X
ReplyDeleteHave you decided on the plants you will be growing this year, then? I know you said you wanted to concentrate on growing flowers. I'm sure it will look lovely!
DeleteWhat beautiful flowers. I enjoyed seeing your photo progression of the flowers opening.
ReplyDeleteThey are pretty, aren't they? They are thriving in the vegetable plot! Too bad they aren't an edible plant!
DeleteBeautiful! I do love your flower photos. Not a lot is growing here yet - though the daffodils are starting to come up - so until more grows I am living through your photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon. Hope you'll see more flowers in your area as it warms up in the next few weeks.
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