Linum lewisii - WILD BLUE FLAX
Clump forming, airy/slender perennial with up to 1" pale blue flowers, followed by round seed capsules. The narrow, grayish toned leaves grow along short stems, each of which bears several flowers that start to bloom from the bottom and continue to the top. The stems usually lean slightly to one side, especially in more rich or moist soils.
The drier the soil is, the longer-lived the plants get, but generally, this is a short-lived perennial that reseeds. Flowers from May to August, with the peak in early summer. The seed capsules that appear afterwards can be dried and used for dry flower arrangements.
Excellent for dry flower beds, rock gardens, shallow soils, naturalization in dry soil and dry prairies; this is a very good filler in the flower bed because the color of the five-petaled flowers goes well with many other colors. Combine with Coreopsis, Gaillardia, Paeonia, Papaver orientale, Monarda bradburiana, Penstemon (especially with purple or reddish flowers), Nepeta, Salvia nemorosa, Salvia x sylvestris hybrids, Stachys byzantina, Sedum, and lower-growing grasses.
Another scientific name is Linum perenne ssp. lewisii (Linum perenne is native to Europe). Native Americans used it as an herb in eyewash boils, poultices of fresh crushed leaves that were applied to irritated eyes, to improve hair health and as an important fiber/cloth plant.
Picture copyright : Michael Schauer, Flickr
Blooming Time: May to August
Size: 18-20" tall x 12" wide
USDA Zones: 3 to 9
Culture: full sun, average but drained soil; shallow, rocky, sandy, and poor/infertile soils
Moisture Needs: dry to medium
Origin: native to the western United States (with a small population in West Virginia) and most of Canada (USDA distribution map)
Deer/Rabbit Resistant: yes / yes
Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators: no / yes, bees and flies
Attracts Hummingbirds: no
Pot Size: square 3.5" x 4" deep perennial pot
Linum lewisii - WILD BLUE FLAX
Clump forming, airy/slender perennial with up to 1" pale blue flowers, followed by round seed capsules. The narrow, grayish toned leaves grow along short stems, each of which bears several flowers that start to bloom from the bottom and continue to the top. The stems usually lean slightly to one side, especially in more rich or moist soils.
The drier the soil is, the longer-lived the plants get, but generally, this is a short-lived perennial that reseeds. Flowers from May to August, with the peak in early summer. The seed capsules that appear afterwards can be dried and used for dry flower arrangements.
Excellent for dry flower beds, rock gardens, shallow soils, naturalization in dry soil and dry prairies; this is a very good filler in the flower bed because the color of the five-petaled flowers goes well with many other colors. Combine with Coreopsis, Gaillardia, Paeonia, Papaver orientale, Monarda bradburiana, Penstemon (especially with purple or reddish flowers), Nepeta, Salvia nemorosa, Salvia x sylvestris hybrids, Stachys byzantina, Sedum, and lower-growing grasses.
Another scientific name is Linum perenne ssp. lewisii (Linum perenne is native to Europe). Native Americans used it as an herb in eyewash boils, poultices of fresh crushed leaves that were applied to irritated eyes, to improve hair health and as an important fiber/cloth plant.
Picture copyright : Michael Schauer, Flickr
Blooming Time: May to August
Size: 18-20" tall x 12" wide
USDA Zones: 3 to 9
Culture: full sun, average but drained soil; shallow, rocky, sandy, and poor/infertile soils
Moisture Needs: dry to medium
Origin: native to the western United States (with a small population in West Virginia) and most of Canada (USDA distribution map)
Deer/Rabbit Resistant: yes / yes
Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators: no / yes, bees and flies
Attracts Hummingbirds: no
Pot Size: square 3.5" x 4" deep perennial pot