Details
Blue flax is a short-lived perennial that produces delicate sky blue flowers that bloom in late spring. The flowers only open fully on sunny days and make a great addition to cottage gardens. The small seed-heads form in the summer, and the seeds can be eaten after cooked. They have a pleasant nutty taste and are very nutritious. Blue flax also has a wide variety of medicinal uses, and attracts birds and butterflies.
NOTE: Seeds should be cooked before eaten, raw seed contains cyanide and should not be eaten.
Michigan Seeds and Plants grown on our farm, Renegade Acres, in Howell, MI!
Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth.
Additional Info
Botanical Name | Linum perenne |
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Life Cycle | Perennial |
Min. Time to Germinate | 20 Days |
Max. Time to Germinate | 28 Days |
Depth to Sow Seeds | 1/8 in. |
When to Sow | Indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost, Outdoors after all danger of spring frost is past |
Growing Height | 18-24 in. (45-60 cm) |
Plant Spacing | 12-15 in. (30-38 cm) |
Hardiness | USDA Zone 4a: to -25F, USDA Zone 4b: to -20F, USDA Zone 5a: to -15F, USDA Zone 5b: to -10F, USDA Zone 6a: to -5F, USDA Zone 6b: to 0F, USDA Zone 7a: to 5F, USDA Zone 7b: to 10F, USDA Zone 8a: to 15F, USDA Zone 8b: to 20F, USDA Zone 9a: to 25F, USDA Zone 9b: to 30F |
Sun Exposure | Full Sun |
Danger | N/A |
Bloom Color | Light Blue, Medium Blue |
Bloom Time | Late Spring/Early Summer, Mid-Summer |
Foliage | Herbaceous |
Other Details | Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater |
Soil pH Requirements | 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic), 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral), 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) |
Propagation Methods | From seed; direct sow after last frost, From seed; sow indoors before last frost |
Seed Collecting | Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds |
Seeds Per Pack | 50 |