In early to late spring, this biennial woodland wildflower blooms for about a month with masses of purple flowers in clusters of 4 to 12. It has a loose, open-branched habit, and the light green foliage is velvety and deeply lobed. The flowers attract pollinators and provide early-season color for the shade. Another common name is fern-leaved scorpionweed. 
 
Native habitats include cool, mountainous areas; rocky forests; and along streams and slopes. Use as a groundcover in shady to partly shady areas. It's well-suited for naturalizing in woodland gardens because, even though it dies after blooming in its second year, it self-sows vigorously and sends up new plants in different locations. Keep it in specific locations by hand-sowing seeds in the fall.
 
Plant Characteristics:
Grows 1-3' tall and wide. Give it room to spread.
 
Prefers part sun to dappled shade.
 
Prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soils but tolerates poor soils, occasional wet conditions, and some alkalinity. Tolerates clay, sandy, and shallow rocky soils. 
 
Blooms between March and June in its second year.
 
Wildlife Value:
Members of the genus Phacelia support the following specialized bees: Andrena  lamelliterga, Andrena  phaceliae, Hoplitis  simplex.
 
Resources:
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PHBI2
 
North Carolina Extension: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/phacelia-bipinnatifida/
 
Full profile soon!