Fiddleneck
Phacelia tanacetifolia
Also known as
Phacelia 'Green Manure', Lacy Phacelia, Purple Tansy, Scorpion Weed, Fernleaf Fiddleneck, Facelia, Tansy Phacelia
Photo by mlwh (All rights reserved)
Full Sun
Easy care
Light watering
Tender
H7-H2
RHS hardiness
-20°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
1m | Max | 20cm |
50cm | Min | 50cm |
3 months to reach maturity
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has no fragrance
More images of Fiddleneck
Fiddleneck Overview
Phacelia tanacetifolia is a hardy annual from the Boraginaceae family. It is used in many places in agriculture as a cover crop, a bee plant, an attractant for other beneficial insects, and an ornamental plant. Commonly known as a green manure, by the names Purple Tansy, Lacy Phacelia or Fiddleneck. It is planted in vineyards and alongside crop fields, where it is valued for its long, coiling flower clusters of nectar-rich flowers. The blooms open in sequence, giving a long flowering period. It is a good insectary plant, attracting pollinators such as honey bees. Phacelia tanacetifolia is a species in the Boraginaceae (Borage) family known by the common name Fiddleneck.
How to harvest Fiddleneck
If using as a green manure, dig into the soil before it flowers or cut down and compost the foliage.
How to propagate Fiddleneck
Seed
Sow outdoors in late autumn or germinate in cool temperatures in darkness for the first 24 hrs.
Special features of Fiddleneck
Attracts useful insects
It attracts bees and hoverflies (family Syrphidae), which are useful as biological pest control agents because they eat aphids and other pests.
Other uses of Fiddleneck
Walls, rock garden, green manure, bees and other beneficial insects for the vegetable garden.
Flowers - Annuals to direct sow in September
There is still time to direct sow these hardy annuals where you want them to flower next spring.
Flowers to Sow Outside in October
Direct sow these during October where you want them to flower next year!
