PREMIER SEEDS DIRECT - California Bluebell - Phacelia campanularia - 2500 Seeds

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Phacelia tanacetifolia, commonly known as Lacy phacelia or Blue tansy, is a popular choice among gardeners for its blue-purple flowers and fern-like foliage. Are Phacelia plants fragrant? Desert bluebells grow naturally in deserts in southern California. Sometimes they flower en masse after a wet winter, with thousands of them forming masses of sapphire blue. If you’d like to see that gorgeous blue color in your own garden, you may want to know how to grow a desert bluebell. Phacelia minor is a species in the Boraginaceae (Forget-me-not) family known by the common name California Bluebell. It is native to southern California and Baja California, where it grows in coastal sage scrub and chaparral, in the deserts and coastal and inland mountains, and in areas recently burned. It is an annual herb producing a mostly unbranched erect stem 20 to 60 centimeters tall. It is hairy and coated in stiff glandular hairs. The leaves are up to 11 centimeters long with toothed, crinkly, oval or rounded blades borne on long petioles. The showy flower cluster is a one-sided curving or coiling cyme of many bell-shaped flowers, each up to 4 centimeters in length. The large flowers are lavender to deep blue-purple in color with protruding stamens tipped with white anthers. It is a small but showy flower that does well in dry, inland gardens. It can be easily confused with Phacelia parryi, and their ranges overlap, but more easily distinguished when in flower. There are two subspecies of Phaceliacampanularia.The most common is known as Phacelia campanularia ssp. vasiformis, spread across a wider native range and sporting larger flowers. If you see any images of Desert Bluebells online, they are likely of this subspecies.

Phaceliacampanulariais propagated from seed. You can either collect these from the plant to replant in new areas of your garden or leave them to spread naturally as they do in the wild. As these plants are annuals, you will need to replant every year if you want continuous blooms in your garden. In this case, propagating is definitely the way to go. Propagating From Seed Seeds are gathered from the plant’s seed pods once the flowers die in mid to late spring. The planting process couldn’t be easier. Simply sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil where you want them to grow, or space them about 12 inches apart for a more structured look. No covering is required – they should be left on top and exposed to the light to replicate natural propagation. Water after planting and leave the rain to do most of the work. Seeds should germinate within a month.

How do you grow blue eyed baby seeds?

In the right area, this propagating method requires virtually no effort from you while providing new plants each year. Planting Desert Bluebells are usually grown from seed and are best planted in fall to prepare for emergence in spring. Ensure the area is completely free of weeds and any other plant debris. The soil should be sandy and dry or mixed with fine gravelto create the perfect environment for these plants. Then, simply place the seeds on top of the soil around 12 inches apart. If you’re going for a more natural wildflower look, you can also sprinkle the seeds around in a random pattern and leave them on the soil where they land rather than planting in rows. Natural Propagation To continue growing Desert Bluebells year after year, you can simply leave them to spread naturally on their own as they do in the wild. It is best to grow Heliotrope and California bluebells outdoors from seeds. Sow about 6 mm (1/4 inch) deep, before the last frost of spring. But what makes Desert Bluebells one of the most special native wildflowers is their captivating color. Few flowers found in home gardens are truly blue, and many are either hybridized or genetically altered in some way to produce that blue color. Desert Bluebells are 100% naturally blue, a color only 10% of flowering plants have. The plants are known to readily self seed, so if the seeds fall to the bare ground beneath, new plants will grow the following growing season. California Bluebell can be used as a cut flower, in floral arrangements and vases. How tall do California bluebells get?

Be careful when cutting to avoid any skin rashes and always wear gloveswhen dealing with these plants. If you have any indoor pets, it’s best to stay away from using these in bouquets as it can cause the same adverse reaction. Bluebells are useful for a number of home garden applications. Due to their native status and ease of growth, their most common application is in wildflower gardens. The long stems with bright blue flowers stand out amongst the seas of other plants. They are often included in wildflower mixes in the specific regions they are grown in. You’ve probably gauged the required climate from the ‘Desert’ in the name ‘Desert Bluebell’. Phaceliacampanulariais grown in warm, dry regions with a Mediterranean-type climate. Hot dry summers and wet winters are ideal conditions for these annuals. These plants are ideal for sections of your garden where the soil quality is too poor for other annuals and perennials to grow. They make a stunning display when planted in massive groups and can cover a large area with ease. If you let them spread their seeds after flowering, you will have no problems with plants in that area for years to come. Climate and Temperature Warm to hot temperatures with very little moisture is ideal for growing these desert beauties. Second to the indigo color of the flowers, the best thing about these plants is the ease of desert bluebell care. Remember that these are natives, and native plants know how to fend for themselves.Can be sown in trays under cover with warmth from very early spring or direct sown outdoors later in spring after all danger of frost has passed.

Needing poor quality soils for optimal growth, Phaceliacampanularia do not require any fertilizing. In fact, fertilizing will likely do more harm to the plant than doing nothing at all. The roots are easily scorched by high levels of nutrients and the plant will perform far worse or potentially stop flowering if given excessive fertilizers. Amaryllis Bulbs, Hosta Roots, Lily Bulbs, Papaver Roots, Paperwhite Bulbs, Peony Roots & Siberian Iris Roots The cute blue flowers are ideal for cut-flower bouquets. They may not last very long, but cutting them is one way to bring their beauty indoors, if only for a few days. Native wildflowers are a wonderful addition to any garden. They obviously look stunning, with colorful blooms popping up throughout spring and brightening your day with just a glance. But they are also great for the surrounding environment. Native wildflowers are water-wise, don’t require any additional products like fertilizers or pesticides to grow well, and provide flowers for the many pollinators looking for work in your area. Phacelia campanularia". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 12 January 2018.

Common Questions

Tips for New Gardeners: Phacelia is an excellent option for beginner gardeners. Its ease of growth and pollinator-friendly nature make it a rewarding and environmentally beneficial choice. As pretty as they appear in these regions, they should not be removed from their natural habitats. Firstly, these plants are annuals and will not rebloom the following year if you plant them somewhere else. Secondly, removing plants from their native environments disturbs the local habitat and influences other plants and wildlife. Before you start growing desert bluebells, you’ll want to know their mature size. They can get to 24 inches (61 cm.) tall and 18 inches (46 cm.) wide. Flowers appear in February and March and last about a month. Desert Bluebell Care The other variety is known as Phaceliacampanulariassp.campanularia. This subspecies is found in a more limited region, mainly in the Sonoran Desert.