Sow Outside: 1/4 inch (6 mm). Before the last frost. In warm areas can be sown in early autumn. Spacing 4 to 16 inches (10 to 40 cm). Germination time: two to four weeks in the dark. Temperature 55°F (13°C). Desert bluebells grow naturally in deserts in southern California. Sometimes they flower en masse after a wet winter, with thousands of them forming masses of sapphire blue. If you’d like to see that gorgeous blue color in your own garden, you may want to know how to grow a desert bluebell.

humility In the language of flowers, the bluebell is a symbol of humility, constancy, gratitude and everlasting love. It is said that if you turn a bluebell flower inside-out without tearing it, you will win the one you love, and if you wear a wreath of bluebells you will only be able to speak the truth. Are desert bluebells poisonous?

Needing poor quality soils for optimal growth, Phaceliacampanularia do not require any fertilizing. In fact, fertilizing will likely do more harm to the plant than doing nothing at all. The roots are easily scorched by high levels of nutrients and the plant will perform far worse or potentially stop flowering if given excessive fertilizers. The Phacelia genus contains fromt 150-200 species of annuals and perennials. Do Phacelia members make a good garden or landscaping plant? If you choose to go this route, it is imperative that you make your own soil mix. Regular potting soil will not drain well enough for these sand-loving desert plants. Either buy a specialized succulent or cactus mix that has the well-draining soil these plants prefer, or amend potting soil with plenty of sand and gravel for the best drainage.

Smaller species of Phacelia should be grown about 15 cm (6 inches) apart, and larger varieties spaced at 25 to 30 cm apart (10 to 12 inches). Caring for California Bluebell - Phacelia Too much shade will stunt the plants’ growth and lead to fewer flowers. Anything less than six hours of full sunlight falls under this category. The plants may also stretch toward light sources, becoming distorted and losing their strong upright nature. If the plants begin to droop or have sparse growth, they need more sunlight. BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 26 June 2015 . Retrieved 17 October 2014.The plant will produce seed pods once it has finished flowering. Inside these pods are small seeds that will be visible as the pods open. Once the seeds are ready and the pods have opened, you can remove the stalk and shake off the seeds.

Desert Bluebells are truly one of the most low-maintenance plants you can find. When planted in the right conditions, they will almost completely take care of themselves. They thrive more on neglect than attention, making them ideal for beginners or low-maintenance gardens.

California bluebell seed

Bluebells are useful for a number of home garden applications. Due to their native status and ease of growth, their most common application is in wildflower gardens. The long stems with bright blue flowers stand out amongst the seas of other plants. They are often included in wildflower mixes in the specific regions they are grown in.

Desert Bluebells are very drought tolerant and can handle plenty of neglect in watering. Only provide additional water if there is no rainfall for long stretches of time. Leave the soil to dry out completely before the next watering to prevent any chances of root rot. Soil While they are very adaptive to a wide range of conditions,desert bluebellsare quite particular about soil. Description: Phacelia campanularia. California Bluebell is also known as desert bells and desert bluebells. It is a native of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts in California, but it grows very well as an attractive garden annual in nearly any situation. Do California bluebells self seed? There are two subspecies of Phaceliacampanularia.The most common is known as Phacelia campanularia ssp. vasiformis, spread across a wider native range and sporting larger flowers. If you see any images of Desert Bluebells online, they are likely of this subspecies.Be careful when cutting to avoid any skin rashes and always wear gloveswhen dealing with these plants. If you have any indoor pets, it’s best to stay away from using these in bouquets as it can cause the same adverse reaction. Phaceliacampanulariassp.vasiformisproduces the compoundphacelianin. This is an anthocyanin, or plant pigment, that makes the flowers their vivid blue color. Very few plants found in the wild are naturally blue, making these even more special. It is best to grow Heliotrope and California bluebells outdoors from seeds. Sow about 6 mm (1/4 inch) deep, before the last frost of spring.