Distant Phacelia
Phacelia distans
Also listed as Phacelia cinerea, Phacelia arthurii
Also known as Common Phacelia
Climate Match for your location
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Distant phacelia is a delicate annual wildflower with small blue-purple flowers that attract pollinators. It thrives in arid regions with minimal water and poor soils.
Why grow it
Distant phacelia serves as a reliable pollinator attractant for arid and semi-arid permaculture systems where water conservation is essential. Compared to other annual wildflowers, it establishes quickly from seed and tolerates poor, compacted soils without soil amendment, making it useful for erosion control or for filling in marginal spaces while you build soil fertility elsewhere in the system.
Watch out for
Like many annual wildflowers, distant phacelia self-seeds readily and may appear in unintended locations if allowed to set seed; deadheading or cutting plants before seed maturity helps manage this if needed. It prefers full sun and well-draining conditions, so it may struggle or decline in humid climates or where drainage is consistently poor.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Hydrophyllaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America, California and Nevada
Native to: Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Nevada, Wisconsin
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Distant phacelia is a delicate annual wildflower with small blue-purple flowers that attract pollinators. It thrives in arid regions with minimal water and poor soils.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Distant Phacelia grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Distant phacelia serves as a reliable pollinator attractant for arid and semi-arid permaculture systems where water conservation is essential. Compared to other annual wildflowers, it establishes quickly from seed and tolerates poor, compacted soils without soil amendment, making it useful for erosion control or for filling in marginal spaces while you build soil fertility elsewhere in the system.
Watch out for
Like many annual wildflowers, distant phacelia self-seeds readily and may appear in unintended locations if allowed to set seed; deadheading or cutting plants before seed maturity helps manage this if needed. It prefers full sun and well-draining conditions, so it may struggle or decline in humid climates or where drainage is consistently poor.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Hydrophyllaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America, California and Nevada
Native to: Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Nevada, Wisconsin
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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