Flowering Flax Linum grandiflorum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Linum usitatissimum
- Phonetic Spelling
- LY-num grand-ih-FLOR-um
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Flowering Flax is an annual herb in the flax family. The plant has small, waxy leaves that line the erect stems and clusters of deep red flowers tipped with bright blue pollen. The plant is native to Turkey, where it can grow as a perennial; however, in most sites, it rarely persists past one season and you can expect it to grow as an annual. Kew Garden describes L. grandiflorum as a synonym for L. usitatissimum.
Flowering Flax grows best in average, well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade. It prefers full sun and light soil. It will tolerate heat, humidity, and drought. In heavy soil, such as clay, it will tend to have shallow roots that can cause it problems surviving through the winter. It will freely self-seed where conditions are favorable.
Cut some stems back by half, mid-way through the bloom period to extend flowering.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
Generally disease and pest free. May be susceptible to slugs, snails, or aphids.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Blue Dress'
Smaller, but abundant, light blue flowers. - 'Bright Eyes'
White flowers with red centers. - 'Rubrum'
Popular variety, delicate pink blossoms.
- 'Blue Dress'
- 'Blue Dress', 'Bright Eyes', 'Rubrum'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue Dress'
Smaller, but abundant, light blue flowers. - 'Bright Eyes'
White flowers with red centers. - 'Rubrum'
Popular variety, delicate pink blossoms.
- 'Blue Dress'
- 'Blue Dress', 'Bright Eyes', 'Rubrum'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Linum
- Species:
- grandiflorum
- Family:
- Linaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Fibrous stems are difficult to break and were once used in Europe to make linen and rope.
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Turkey, Syria, and Iran
- Distribution:
- Introduced into the United States, Southern South America, Northern Africa, Central Europe and Asia
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Loose clusters of deep scarlet blooms edged in black borne on pedicels 3/4 of an inch long. The flowers are an 1 1/2 inch in diameter with 5 red petals each up to 1 inch long and stamens tipped with anthers bearing light blue pollen.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Waxy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Waxy, lance-shaped leaves 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch long.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Erect, branching stem lined with waxy leave.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Hanging Baskets
- Meadow
- Landscape Theme:
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
