prairie wildflower
Desert bluebells
Phacelia campanularia
Also known as Desert Bells, Desert Canterbury Bells, Bluebells, desertbells
Native to California
Deserts of southern California
- Light Full sun Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom Feb–Apr Flowering time
- Height up to 16 in to 41 cm
- Life cycle Annual Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for full sun and lean, dry soil. At up to 16 in, it tucks into meadows and sunny borders.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees European Woolcarder Bee
also Western Honey Bee, Urbane Digger Bee, California Digger Bee +4 more
Lucorum-group Bumble Bees, Anthophora porterae, Buff-tailed Bumble Bee, Valley Carpenter Bee - Flower flies Oblique Streaktail also Triploechus sackeni
- Butterflies Umber Skipper
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- CaliforniaUnited States (1): CA. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Deserts of southern CaliforniaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sunHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Soil
- Well-drained, sandy or gravelly soilThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 16 in (to 41 cm)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- AnnualWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Feb–AprWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- BlueThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.