Botanical Name: Linum lewisii
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Common Name: Blue Flax, Prairie Flower  
Plant photo of: Linum lewisii
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Water Saving Tip:

Even though it's hot, your lawn only needs to be watered twice a week to stay healthy.

And don't water the whole lawn for a brown spot—drag out a hose.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Perennial

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Blue

 

Flower Season

Spring, Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Low

 

Growth Rate

Fast

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Native Garden

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Parking Strip

 

Special Uses

Mass Planting, Naturalizing, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Butterflies

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:

  • Description

  • Notes

Blue flax is native to the mid-west and western states, including Utah. In spring, it forms a clump of upright to arching stems with blue-green, needle-like foliage, the clump swaying nicely in breezes. Simple, five-petaled, blue to violet flowers appear in May and June. The flowers open in the early morning and the petals fall during mid-day as it gets hot; on cloudy days the flowers last longer. But when the petals fall, they form a lovely blue blanket under the plant. Use in sunny borders, mixed in with ornamental grasses, or in a meadowish garden. Grows about 20 to 30 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide. A Utah native.
Grow in well drained soil in full sun. Will tolerate clay-loam soils, but heavy clay soils will shorten the plants life. It will self-sow. If a tidy appearance is importance, it may be cut back after blooming. Attracts bees and butterflies. Also listed as Linum perenne v. lewisii.