woodland wildflower
Silky Phacelia
Phacelia sericea
Also known as Purple Fringe
1 of 2Native to the Pacific Coast, the Southwest, and the Rockies and southern Canada
Alberta to British Columbia, south to Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and California
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moisture preference
- Zones 2–8 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Jun–Aug Flowering time
- Height up to 16 in to 41 cm
- Life cycle Biennial or perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for partial shade. Its white flowers peak in July. At up to 16 in, it tucks into shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 2–8.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Silky Phacelia's white flowers bloom June to August, peaking in July. This midsummer display draws bees and flower flies.
Silky Phacelia blooms white, blue & purpleFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Yellow-faced Bumble Bee
also Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee, Two-form Bumble Bee, Great Basin Bumble Bee +6 more
Nearctic Bumble Bee, Western Bumble Bee, Forest Bumble Bee, Meadow Parsnip Miner Bee, Cobalt Blue Mason Bee, Osmia ednae - Flower flies Eupeodes lapponicus
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The Pacific Coast, the Southwest, and the Rockies and southern CanadaUnited States (11): AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY. Canada (2): AB, BC. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Alberta to British Columbia, south to Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and CaliforniaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 2–8 · Canadian 0–8The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Loose talusThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 16 in (to 41 cm)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- Biennial or perennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Jun–AugWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- White, Blue, PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Jun–SepThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.