PHACELIA

Large genus of flowering plants native mostly to western U.S. and Mexico. One of the species listed here is native to the Texas prairie; the other is a wildflower from shady, moist areas of the Southeast.

• Biennial.
• Zones US, MS, LS; USDA 6-8.
• Native from West Virginia and Illinois to Arkansas and Georgia.
• Deeply divided, dark green leaves to 4 inches long and wide.
• Overwinters as an attractive low foliage mound to 1 feet wide; in late spring, flower stalks to 2 feet tall bear sprays of white-eyed lavender-blue blossoms.
• Showy as a mass planting.
• Dies after flowering; self-sows reliably.
• Grow in partial or full shade, in soil with lots of organic matter.

• Annual or biennial.
• Zones US, MS, LS, CS, TS; USDA 6-11.
• Native to Texas and New Mexico.
• Grows 3 feet tall, 1 feet wide.
• Deeply cut, bright green, soft leaves to 4 inches long, 1 inches wide.
• Blooms throughout spring; buds form on a curled spike, which uncoils as the buds open into blue-purple flowers.
• Easy to grow from seed.
• For a long bloom period, be sure to water during dry spells.
• Full sun.