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Phacelia tanacetifolia. Pale, mauve-blue, fragrant flowers unfold like ferns at the top of long leafy stems and attracts bees from miles around. The delicate, lacy foliage bears a resemblance to yarrow. It fits in the vegetable garden as a cover crop to attract beneficial insects or in a garden bed for quirky purple flowers. Direct sow Lacy Phacelia at three week intervals from April to June and expect a staggered, much extended bloom period. Phacelia grows to60cm (24″) in full sun or part shade. It’s a good companion plant for any of the Cucurbits – cucumbers, melons, and squashes, and Brassicas-broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, and collards.

If planting as a cover crop, use 2.2kg per acre. Denser planting will control weeds.

Annual

Mark talks about Phacelia on YouTube

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• Hardy annual
• Pale mauve-blue
• Attracts bees and other beneficial insects
• Grows to60cm (24″)
• Can be used as cover crop

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