Phacelia tanacetifolia – versatile green manure and bee-friendly flower

Phacelia tanacetifolia , commonly known as bee food or bee-friendly phacelia, is an annual plant that offers both ecological and ornamental value. This plant is often used as a green manure, ground cover, and bee-friendly flower, making it an excellent choice for gardeners, farmers, and environmentally conscious gardeners.

With its beautiful purple flowers, Phacelia attracts countless bees, bumblebees, and other pollinators, significantly increasing biodiversity in the garden or field. It's also an effective green manure that improves soil structure, fixes nitrogen, and prevents erosion.

Description and features

Phacelia tanacetifolia grows quickly and forms a bushy, branched plant that can reach 40–70 cm tall. The leaves are pinnate and slightly hairy, and the flowers are a beautiful purple-blue, bell-shaped, and densely packed in clusters.

• Flowering period: From late spring to early autumn

• Pollinators: Attractive to bees, bumblebees, butterflies and other beneficial insects

• Soil improvement: Promotes structure and fertility

Phacelia is known for its rapid growth and ornamental value, making it both ecologically and aesthetically attractive in gardens, fields and borders.

Cultivation and care

Phacelia tanacetifolia is easy to grow and requires little maintenance:

• Sowing: Sow direct outdoors from April to June; sow 5–10g per 10m² for dense coverage.

• Position: Sun to part shade; grows in most soil types, from light sand to clay.

• Soil: Well-drained and fertile; tolerates poor soil but grows better in lightly fertilized soil.

• Watering: Water regularly during dry periods; once established the plant is fairly drought tolerant.

• Care: Cut back the plants after flowering as a green manure or allow seeds to ripen for natural propagation.

Its rapid growth and low maintenance requirements make Phacelia tanacetifolia ideal for novice gardeners and ecological projects.

Application and benefits

Phacelia tanacetifolia is a multifunctional plant with various uses:

1. Bees and pollinators – an important food source for bees, bumblebees and butterflies; promotes pollination of nearby crops.

2. Green manure – improves soil structure, increases organic matter content and fixes nitrogen in the soil.

3. Ground cover – prevents erosion and suppresses weeds through rapid, dense growth.

4. Ornamental value – the purple flowers add a decorative touch to borders, fields, and flower meadows.

5. Seed production – allow seeds to mature for replanting or as a food source for birds.

This combination of ecological and ornamental value makes Phacelia tanacetifolia an indispensable plant for sustainable gardening and agricultural projects.