Requirements: Full sunlight. Good drainage. Soil pH 6.5 to 7. Average soil. Can survive in dry soils. Pinch tips. Needing poor quality soils for optimal growth, Phaceliacampanularia do not require any fertilizing. In fact, fertilizing will likely do more harm to the plant than doing nothing at all. The roots are easily scorched by high levels of nutrients and the plant will perform far worse or potentially stop flowering if given excessive fertilizers. So exactly what are desert bluebells? With the scientific name of Phacelia campanularia ssp. vasiformis, these plants are native annual herbs that like sun and dry soil. The plants themselves are stiff and erect. If you start growing desert bluebells, you’ll find that the oval leaves are rounded and covered with fine hairs.

USDA, NRCS (n.d.). " Phacelia campanularia". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team . Retrieved 31 January 2016. Phacelia plants prefer full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. They can tolerate a range of soil types, including poor soils. Is Phacelia invasive in the USA, if so in which states? This annual herb has an erect stem reaching 0.7 metres (2.3ft) in maximum height. It is covered in glandular hairs. The leaf blades are somewhat rounded with toothed edges. The inflorescence is a loose cyme of flowers. The flower has a bright blue corolla up to 4 centimeters long which can be bell-shaped, funnel-shaped, or round and flattened. It can have white spots in the throat. The protruding stamens and style can be 4.5 centimeters long. The fruit is a capsule up to 1.5 centimeters long. [9] It grows in dry, sandy places below 4,000 feet (1,200m). [6] Taxonomy [ edit ] Phacelia is a genus in the Boraginaceae family comprising annuals and perennials known for their beautiful and unique inflorescence. They're often grown for their abundant nectar, attracting pollinators like bees. Two subtaxa are usually recognized, called subspecies [3] or varieties. [9] They can intergrade in some areas. [9]Description: Phacelia campanularia. California Bluebell is also known as desert bells and desert bluebells. It is a native of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts in California, but it grows very well as an attractive garden annual in nearly any situation. Do California bluebells self seed? One person taking one plant may not be noticed, but if everyone had to remove these stunning flowers, they would certainly become endangered in their native area, especially since they are already classified as vulnerable. Sow in trays in fine grade seed compost with added grit / vermiculite for drainage and lightly cover with growing medium. Ensure the area is completely free of weeds and any other plant debris. The soil should be sandy and dry or mixed with fine gravelto create the perfect environment for these plants. Then, simply place the seeds on top of the soil around 12 inches apart. If you’re going for a more natural wildflower look, you can also sprinkle the seeds around in a random pattern and leave them on the soil where they land rather than planting in rows. Natural Propagation To continue growing Desert Bluebells year after year, you can simply leave them to spread naturally on their own as they do in the wild.

To remove Phacelia plants, pull up the whole plant, ensuring all roots are removed. They can self-seed, so removing flowers before they set seed can help control their spread. Summary

Desert Bluebell Care

Phacelia campanularia". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 12 January 2018. Bluebells are useful for a number of home garden applications. Due to their native status and ease of growth, their most common application is in wildflower gardens. The long stems with bright blue flowers stand out amongst the seas of other plants. They are often included in wildflower mixes in the specific regions they are grown in. The plants are known to readily self seed, so if the seeds fall to the bare ground beneath, new plants will grow the following growing season. California Bluebell can be used as a cut flower, in floral arrangements and vases. How tall do California bluebells get? Look for desert bluebells in California’s Mohave Desert. If you hit the timing right, you may see what looks like an ocean of flowers erupting into a stupendous show. Desert bluebell flowers are also bright and beautiful in the home garden setting. For more information about desert bluebell flowers, read on. What are Desert Bluebells? If you are growing Desert Bluebells in conditions they are not accustomed to, the maintenance will be much higher. For example, if you live in a region with dry winters, you will need to water your plants frequently during this time to replicate the winter rainfall of its natural habitat.