prairie wildflower
Wild canterbury bells
Phacelia minor
Also known as California Bells
1 of 3Native to California
Southern California from Santa Monica Mountains to edge of desert
- Light Full sun Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom Jan–May Flowering time
- Height up to 2 ft to 0.6 m
- Life cycle Annual Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for full sun and lean, dry soil. Its purple flowers peak in March. At up to 2 ft, it suits meadows and sunny borders.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
When it blooms
The Wild canterbury bells's purple flowers bloom January to May, peaking in March. This early-spring display draws bees and moths.
Wild canterbury bells blooms purpleFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Foothill Carpenter Bee also Western Honey Bee, Habropoda tristissima
- Moths White-lined Sphinx
- Hummingbirds Costa's Hummingbird
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
- Southern California from Santa Monica Mountains to edge of desertThe 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
- Dry, disturbed soilThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 2 ft (to 0.6 m)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
- Jan–MayWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Jan–JulThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.