Phacelia tanacetifolia, Lacy Phacelia seed
Bienen-freund, Penstemon attenuatus is a native, perennial forb that grows from a dense crown to a height of 4 to 35 in. Covers 1 ft.
From Northwest Meadowscape's website:Lacy phacelia is largely a California species, but wild populations do occasionally show up in Oregon. Even outside of its true native range, this is a spectacular annual species for use as a garden cover crop, backyard bee pasture, or an insectary plant to attract beneficial insects for natural pest control. It grows wonderfully in garden settings across the Northwest, and even germinates excellently in cool autumn weather.
We’ve used lacy phacelia for years as a winter cover crop with several key advantages: 1) it can be terminated easily by just mowing it, 2) it grows rapidly and produces enough canopy to shade out most weeds, 3) it does not add extra nitrogen to the soil which tends to encourage weedy grasses later in the year, and 4) it does not persist well on its own in the Northwest so we never worry about it escaping and becoming a weed.
We know of many folks who add this annual species to their native pollinator seed mixes, just to have a reliable source of flowers early in the life of their meadow. It quickly disappears however as other species such as lupines mature and remain more competitive.
Lacy phacelia is world famous for its attractiveness to honey bees, bumble bees, and beneficial syrphid flies. It’s a popular bee plant in Europe, known in Germany as Bienen-freund (“bee’s friend”).
How to Use Your Cover Crop & Native Seed Packets
Each seed packet is measured to cover 25 sq ft or 100 sq ft, depending on the size you chose.
Sowing Instructions
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When to sow: Fall is ideal in Portland. The soil is still warm for germination, and fall rains keep seedlings watered. Some seeds (like meadowfoam or clovers) can also be spring-sown.
How to sow:
- Rake the soil lightly to create good seed-to-soil contact.
- Scatter the contents of the packet evenly over the area (don’t worry about perfect spacing).
- Gently press or rake seeds in so they make contact with the soil. Do not bury deeply — most native and cover crop seeds need light to germinate.
- Water: Fall rains usually do the job, but water lightly if the weather turns dry.
What to Expect
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Traditional Cover Crops (rye, peas, fava, daikon, crimson clover, buckwheat, mustard): Grow quickly, protect soil, and build fertility. In spring, chop them down or mow before they set seed. Some (like rye) can also be crimped into a mulch.
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Living Mulches (red fescue, dwarf yarrow, creeping thyme, low clovers): These stay low and provide long-term weed suppression and ground cover. Shear lightly as needed, but they don’t require replanting every year.
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Pollinator Wildflowers (Clarkia, poppy, gilia, flax, meadowfoam, coneflower, blanketflower): Not classic cover crops, but they add beauty and attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. Many reseed naturally.
Spring & Summer Management
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Chop-and-drop: Cut plants at the base and leave them as mulch (peas, fava, clovers).
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Mow: Use on ryegrass or cereals to turn them into quick mulch.
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Crimp: Flatten tall rye or grains at flowering to create a long-lasting weed barrier.
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Shear perennials: Yarrow, thyme, and sedges can be trimmed back after bloom.
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Self-seeders: Flowers like poppy, clarkia, and meadowfoam will often reseed themselves. Leave some seed heads if you want them back next year.
Quick Tips
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Cover crops = soil builders.
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Living mulches = weed suppressors.
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Wildflowers = pollinator magnets.
Tulle or row cover can protect young seedlings from birds and slugs until established.
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