Desert Bluebells (Phacelia campanularia)

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
IslandJim Keizer, OR(Zone 8b) Dec 21, 2002

Desert bluebells, blooming in Death Valley.

Common name: Desert Bluebells
Genus: Phacelia
Species campanularia

Plant Link: http://plantsdatabase.com/go/54473/

Thumbnail by IslandJim
Post #433489
Quote
khope Feb 25, 2003

Dear IslanJim,
I'm glad I didn't get rid of the "weeds" growing in my front yard in Phoenix, AZ. I now have loads of beautiful blue flowers (look exactly like your bluebells) all over the place!! I'm not a gardner, although after buying my house, I tried planting shrubs, cactus, etc. which cost me hundreds of dollars and don't look nearly as healthy as these new wild flowers - it's amazing...free, beautiful, sturdy, and no maintenance!!! I have other beautiful weeds that are starting to sprout up with other colors, some yellow, purple, etc. have no idea what they are, but intend to keep watch over them!!
Thanks for your picture - now I know at least one of the names of the plants in my yard!
One question: I'm very confused about why people would want to get rid of healthy green things growing in a yard. I'm sure I sound naive when I ask this, but: Are there certain "weeds" that ought to be "eliminated" and if so, which ones, and why?

Thanks for your reply. Hope

Post #477126
Quote
Osteole Lamar, AR(Zone 7a) Jun 05, 2004

One person's weed is another's prized possession.

Its all in the eye of the beholder :)

Post #897173
Quote
BloomsWithaView Moab, UT(Zone 6b) Jun 05, 2004

Well, now some weeds exist just to make life miserable. there's puncture vine, russian thistle, horned grass, sand burs, Cat's claw - well, wait, Cat's claw could be convinced to form a 'fence' to stop trespassers, or even deer(?).
Every year more of my blessed wildflowers show up in my yard and so of course does a whole field full of yellow wild mustard, which then turns into a massive fire hazard almost overnight.
This year amongst my yellow desert bee balm a few Rocky Mtn purple ones showed up and I was thrilled. Each year when the yellow guys set seed and start drying up I yank em and bang their seed here and there where I hope they'll show up next spring.
I've photoed the phacelia in DV, the Mohave, and to my wonder - in the empty lots of Palm Springs just this year.
Keep on lettin nature plant 'em, give her a hand now and then, not too much - these guys don't seem to like 'improved' soil. LOL That's from experience.

Post #897847
Quote
MoldyCaves Ocala, FL Apr 26, 2007

Island Jim of Venice FL: I live in Ocala FL. I was wonderin' what your thoughts were on tryin to grow these Phacelia campanularia (Califernya Bluebells) here in North Central Florida??? Have you tried growing them in Venice? Venice is in the Tampa Bay area I believe......

Thanks

Post #3432752
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More PlantFiles Pictures Threads

Go to all PlantFiles Pictures threads
BACK TO TOP