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Phacelia campanularia

desert bluebells

Boraginaceae

Mojave and Colorado deserts, southern California

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

Overview

Phacelia campanularia, desert bluebell, is a fast-growing winter annual of the deserts of southern California, reaching 8-30 inches (20-75 cm) tall. It forms a branching, often reddish-stemmed plant carrying rounded to oval leaves 1-2.5 inches (2.5-6 cm) long, with coarsely toothed margins and a dark green, sometimes purple-tinged surface. In spring it bears deep gentian-blue, bell- to cup-shaped flowers about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, each with a paler throat and stamens that protrude beyond the petals. The flowers open along coiled, one-sided clusters that uncurl as buds mature. P. campanularia grows on sandy and gravelly desert flats and washes, germinating with winter rains and flowering before the dry season. It tolerates heat and drought and self-sows where conditions suit, but it is short-lived, fading once the soil dries, and the glandular, hairy foliage can irritate the skin of sensitive people on contact.

Native Range

Native to the Mojave and Colorado deserts of southern California and adjacent Arizona and Baja California. It grows on open, sandy or gravelly desert slopes, flats, and washes, appearing after winter and early spring rains.

Suggested Uses

Grown in desert and dry gardens, wildflower meadows, rock gardens, and containers for spring color. It combines with desert annuals such as Eschscholzia spp. and Nemophila spp. in seed mixes. The flowers draw bees and other early pollinators.

How to Identify

Identify it by deep blue, bell-shaped flowers about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide with protruding stamens, carried in coiled clusters that unroll as they bloom. The rounded, coarsely toothed leaves are dark green and often flushed reddish-purple, on reddish, hairy stems. Its intense blue bells and desert-annual habit separate it from blue-flowered Nemophila spp. and other phacelias, which have flatter or smaller flowers.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 2'6"

Width/Spread8" - 1'4"

Colors

Flower Colors

blue

Foliage Colors

green

red

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Spring

Flowering occurs in spring, mainly February to April in the desert and a few weeks later in cultivation, timed to follow winter rains. The coiled flower clusters open progressively from the base, extending bloom over several weeks. Plants finish and set seed as the soil dries, completing their cycle by early summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

dark green, often reddish-tinged

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Sow seed in autumn or late winter where plants are to grow, in full sun on light, well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil. Seed needs darkness to germinate, so it is covered lightly and kept moist until seedlings appear. Water moderately during growth, then reduce as flowering ends, since the plant is adapted to dry conditions and rots in heavy, wet soil. It needs little or no fertilizer and self-sows freely where the ground stays open. Plants are short-lived and decline after flowering, so successional sowing extends the display. The glandular foliage can cause skin irritation, so gloves are useful when handling seedlings.

Pruning

No pruning is needed for this annual. Removing spent flower clusters can prolong bloom and limit self-sowing where volunteers are not wanted. Plants are cleared once they yellow and set seed at the end of the season.