Lacy phacelia

Phacelia tanacetifolia (Wikipedia)

is an annual herb which grows erect to a maximum height near 100 centimeters with none to a few branches. 

It used outside its native range in agriculture as a cover crop, a bee plant, an attractant for other beneficial insects, as a green manure and an ornamental plant. It is planted in vineyards and alongside crop fields, where it is valued for its long, coiling inflorescences of nectar-rich flowers which open in sequence, giving a long flowering period. It is a good insectary plant, attracting pollinators such as honey bees.

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Phacelia tanacetifolia - a great plant for bees

If bees could make a list of their favourite plants to collect nectar and pollen from, I bet phacelia would be on it. A shame it is not very well-known and not planted more often in gardens and allotments in the UK.

The flowers produce lots of nectar and will attract countless honeybees, bumblebees and other pollinators 

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