Bee's Friend

Bee's friend is a gorgeous flower that attracts pollinators and other beneficial insects

Bee’s friend (Walter Siegmund) CC BY-SA 4.0

Also known as blue or purple tansy, or lacy phacelia, bee’s friend (Phacelia tanacetifolia) is a popular choice in agriculture as an annual ground cover. It is also grown as an insectary, to attract bees and beneficial predatory insects, such as hoverflies. Flowers remain open for an extended period with very little water, making it an excellent addition to your foodscape.

Field of bee’s friend (Walter Siegmund) CC BY-SA 4.0

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Bee’s friend description

Single, mostly unbranched, stems of bee’s friend can reach 4 feet in height, but most plants are only half that height. Curled leaves and stunning lavender-blue flowers make this a uniquely attractive plant. Most domesticated varieties are smooth-stemmed, while wild varieties are covered with stiff trichomes (hairs). ​

Bee's friend seeds and seed heads (Roger Culos) CC BY-SA 3.0

How to grow Bee’s Friend

Bee’s Friend seeds can be sown directly in areas that receive direct sun or partial shade, as soil temperatures warm in late spring. Stagger plantings for a more powerful impact. Seeds must be in complete darkness to germinate, so be sure to follow the planting directions on the packet and use an irrigation method that does not push the soil around too much. Misting is a good choice.

​Bee’s friend is considered one of the top 20 honey-producing flowers. Whether you raise bees or not, that much nectar is sure to bring bees and other pollinators to your garden in abundance! It makes an excellent plant for under or around fruit and nut trees, as a natural way of boosting pollination rates. The flowers are lovely, too!