California Bluebell Phacelia Seeds

Originally native to the Sonoran and Mojave deserts in California, phacelia is a wildflower that is cultivated as a prized ornamental plant in our northern, Canadian gardens. California Bluebell is an easy-to-grow annual that will produce flowers of a most vivid blue early in the season.

The low-growing plants reach one to two feet in height and bear a lot of vibrant-blue, bell-shaped flowers. California Bluebell tends to produce seeds and come back every year if they are kept happy, or the flowers can be deadheaded to prolong blooming and prevent self-seeding. Being from the desert, this wildflower is very resistant to drought and hot weather, but is still quite adaptable to various growing conditions.

California Bluebell flowers are renowned by gardeners for their highly decorative ‘’true blue’’ colour. Especially stunning when planted en masse, California Bluebells are a great option to plant along walkways, in beds or containers.  Hummingbirds, butterflies and bees love to feed on its nectar-rich flowers.

GROWING INSTRUCTIONS

Native to California’s sweltering Mojave and Sonoran deserts, phacelias are used to excessive heat and sandy soil, but will adapt well to other climates. This annual will grow quickly and bloom early in the season. Well-known for their bright blue blossoms, these wildflowers are superstars in pollinator gardens.

Phacelia seeds should be sown directly outdoors when temperatures range from 10-13 degrees. They can be sown before the last frost. Short, cool short days help the seeds germinate and get established before the longer, warmer days arrive. By the time plants are established, they will thrive in full sun, especially in northern regions.

Sow seeds into a well-worked field or garden bed of well-drained soil, cover lightly and keep moist. Germination should occur in 15-30 days. Thin plants as needed to reach a final spacing of 10-20 cm. Phacelias will grow quickly and bloom before almost any other spring flower. They bloom earliest in seeded meadows alongside wild baby’s breath. They will do exceptionally well in the cool months of spring and fall, but flowering will slow down in periods of dry heat. Phaelias don’t require any fertilizer or plant food.

Plants will reach about 70 cm in height and explode with vivid blue bell-shaped blossoms. Flowers will reseed themselves at the end of the growing season, spread and naturalize over the years. Like a true wildflower, phacelias will propagate themselves and evolve to acclimate to their current surroundings. Deadhead the flowers as they fade to prevent self-seeding and to encourage further blooming.

Among wildflowers, bluebells will stand out in a vase and floral arrangements. Start yours from seed to experience all of the benefits bluebells have to offer. 

QUICK FACTS

- California Bluebells are also sometimes referred to as desert bells and desert bluebells.

- Very popular with hummingbirds, as the shape of their blooms makes a perfect cup for them to feed in.

- California Bluebell seeds will remain viable for 2 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.