Perennial Flax
Linum perenne. LINACEAE.
Planting and Growing Perennial Flax
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow perennial flax in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of perennial flax
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for perennial flax
- Season of bloom and planting time for perennial flax
- When, how deep, and where to plant perennial flax
- How to plant perennial flax
- Watering, fertilizing, care, and pests or diseases of perennial flax
- Landscape and container uses of perennial flax
- Comments about perennial flax and its features
Growing Perennial Flax
Many cultivars of short-lived, branching, open, upright, graceful deciduous perennial herbs, 18–24 in. (45–60 cm) tall. Alternate, gray or blue green, narrow, lance-shaped leaves, 1–1‑1/2‑in. (25–38‑mm) long, on long, hairy, branched stems.
Golden flax, Linum flavum, is a related species with similar care needs.
See also Annual Flax, Linum grandiflorum.
New Zealand Flax, Phormium species and hybrids, are unrelated plants in the Agave family grown primarily for their distinctive foliage.
Planting and Care Guide
Blooms
Many bright blue, white, open, 5-petaled flowers, 1–1‑3/4‑in. (25–44‑mm) wide, with white, yellow centers, in spring–summer. Flowers last one day.
Best Climates
Hardy. Self-seeding. Zones 4–10.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained, sandy soil. Fertility: Average–low. 6.5–7.5 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Spring or summer in full sun, 18 in. (45 cm) apart, after soil warms.
Proper Care
Easy–moderate. Keep evenly moist until established; drought tolerant thereafter. Fertilize monthly. Mulch in winter. Propagate by cuttings, division, seed.
About This Plant
Good choice for accents, beds, borders, foregrounds, massed plantings in cottage, natural, rock gardens. Good for cutting. Pest and disease resistant.