Family: Hydrophyllaceae

This is a vibrant cool season annual that is usually about a foot or so tall but in prime conditions (full sun and ample moisture in richer soil) has been documented to be over 2’ tall when blooming. Purplish blue flowers occur in spring and last until the heat exhausts the plants or the soil goes dry.

Plant from seed or plants as early as September or October and throughout the cool season until about March. Plants that emerge later in spring will be smaller when they bloom. Plant in full to part sun. Protect from hard frosts—this is one of our few cool-season annuals that are sensitive to hard frosts. Keep the soil moist to keep plants going as the spring warms up. Plants will reseed themselves readily and re-emerge next fall in wet spots in the yard.

Larval host for many species of moths and a good nectar plant, especially regarding the flower timing as a cool season annual.

The genus name Phacelia is derived from Greek and means 'bundle', in reference to the clustered flowers. The species name campanularia is from the Latin campana ‘bell’ and the suffix -aris which makes adjectives out of nouns, meaning bell-like.

Its true native range is within the borders of California, in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts.

Photo by E. Merkt, iNaturalist