Blue Flax

Linum lewisii

perennial herbView on Calscape

Care

Sun

full sun

Water

very low

Soil

Fast, Medium, Slow; Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.

Size

2–3ft tall

Bloom

Mar-Aug

Foliage

Deciduous

Deer

Resistant

Container

Friendly

Flowers

Prized

Edible

Seeds used to extract linseed oil; seeds edible whole or ground

Native Range

Grasslands and open woodlands throughout California mountains and foothills, 500-6000 ft elevation, extending to Oregon and east

Care Guide

Planting

Plant Blue Flax in full sun and well-draining soil - this is non-negotiable. If you have clay soil, amend it heavily with sand or loam, or choose a different spot; this plant simply won't thrive in clay. Spring or early summer is ideal for planting in the Bay Area. Space plants about 1.5 feet apart since they grow quickly to 1–1.5 feet tall.

After Planting

Water weekly for the first summer to establish the plant, then drastically cut back - Blue Flax needs very low water once established and actually prefers dry conditions. After year one, you can forget about supplemental watering except during severe drought. The #1 mistake is overwatering; this plant will rot if kept consistently moist. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage blooming throughout summer, and you can cut back any leggy growth in late winter before new spring growth appears.

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Endangered & Threatened Species Supported

Silvery blue butterflyGlaucopsyche lygdamus

California Threatened; Species of Special Concern

CA: Threatened, CA Special Concern

Monarch butterflyDanaus plexippus

California Species of Special Concern; monarch populations declining

CA Special Concern

Garita skipperOarisma garita

California Species of Special Concern; limited distribution

CA Special Concern

Wildlife Supported