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Phacelia distans

distant phacelia

Boraginaceae Southwestern North America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

Overview

Phacelia distans is a spring annual of the southwestern deserts, with weak, branching stems 8-32 inches (20-80 cm) long that grow upright or scramble through surrounding plants. The leaves are 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) long and pinnately divided into many toothed segments, giving a soft, fern-like or lacy appearance. Pale blue to lavender bell-shaped flowers about 0.25-0.4 inch (6-10 mm) wide are crowded into coiled clusters that uncurl as the buds open in sequence. It germinates with autumn and winter rains and flowers from late winter into spring, often carpeting desert flats, washes, and slopes in wet years. The plant grows on sandy and gravelly soils across California, the Southwest, and Baja California. After flowering it sets seed quickly and dies as the soil dries for summer. The bristly foliage can cause skin irritation in people who are sensitive to it.

Native Range

Phacelia distans is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, including California, Nevada, Arizona, and Baja California. It grows on sandy and gravelly desert flats, washes, and slopes.

Suggested Uses

Used in desert and dry-climate wildflower plantings, native seed mixes, and naturalized banks, sown directly where it is to grow. The spring flowers draw bees and other pollinators in informal settings. Its sprawling habit suits wild plantings rather than formal beds.

How to Identify

Identify it by soft, lacy, pinnately divided leaves and coiled, scorpion-tail clusters of pale blue to lavender bell-shaped flowers that straighten as they open. The stems are weak and often lean on neighboring plants. The broad, bell-shaped pale flowers separate it from the deeper blue, bowl-shaped Phacelia campanularia.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 2'8"

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

blue

purple

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring

Flowering runs from late winter into spring, roughly March to June, after autumn and winter rains. The coiled clusters unroll over several weeks so new flowers keep opening. In dry years plants are smaller and flower briefly, while wet years bring mass bloom.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pale blue to lavender

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-10 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 Range6.5 - 8.0(Alkaline)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in full sun in light, sandy or gravelly, free-draining soil. Sow seed directly in autumn or early winter in mild climates so plants flower with the spring rains, as seedlings do not transplant well. Water is needed only to start germination, after which the plants rely on seasonal moisture. Rich or wet soils shorten their life and encourage soft growth. Plants die after seeding and self-sow where seed ripens on bare ground. No feeding is required.