PlantFiles: Purple Tansy, Fiddleneck
Phacelia tanacetifolia

I agree with the other posts about how hover flies, bees, bumble bees LOVE this plant - especially the hover flies and native bees!!
I'm in Zone 9 with Winter frosts and this Phacelia survives just fine. It hardly grows through the Winter, but it doesn't die off with the frost or even a small freeze. Of course, we have been having much milder Winters over the last few years.

It's an Olympian Self-Seeder.

The Fernleaf Fiddleneck, as called by Seeds of Change, loves full hot sun and goes completely flat in rain (or overhead watering), be warned. Installing soaker hoses has helped immensely, allowing it to bloom repeatedly and not be overwhelmed by the heat or the mauling affects of water. Once it is flat, it resents man handling, as it seems to be quite brittle and more apt to break than bend. The foliage is worth having, however, especially in a composition with a bolder leaf form. If you want to attract bees, have some of this around, it is busy 24/7. I got a second self seeded batch in late summer, in the direction of where my plants flopped. Also, it is a bit prickly, not something you want to grab. Last update is that the little guys that grew from the late summer seed batch died in the winter, and so far have had very, very few other to come back in Spring. I'm glad I saved seed last year!

is growing well in pot i bought it in and still blooming

The flowers are very attractive to hover flies and other beneficial insects, however this plant is also excellent when used as a green manure.. To use in this manner the plants are turned into the soil before they reach the flowering stage, adding goodness and humus.

Very easy to grow, blooms for a long time and makes lots of seeds... :)

A U.S. native, P. tanacetifolium is grown as an annual in colder climates. Give good drainage and full sun. Self-seeds readily; deadhead to prevent unwanted seedlings.