Linum lewsii
Common Name(s):
Lewis flax
Blue flax
Synonym:
Linum perenne subsp. lewisii
Prairie flax
Flower:
Blue
Blooms :
May
to:
Aug
Flower with 5 thin blue petals with darker blue veins that radiate from the center
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
NO
Family:
Linaceae
Herbaceous Plant, Perennial
Foliage:
Green
Leaves alternate, linear, less than 1" long
Fall Color?
YES
Maintains blue-green foliage into fall, produces roung shiny seed capsules
Deciduous
Photo by:
Heading 6
Leaves semi-evergreen, seed capsules give structural texture and food for the birds
Oregon Native?
YES
West State Native?
YES
Origins:
Native to Europe that has naturalized throughout North America
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
5
Water Needs:
L
Sun Needs:
Full Sun
Deer Resistant?
YES
Firewise?
YES
Height:
6-36"
Spread:
1-2"
Growth Rate:
Medium
Native Habitat:
Forests, meadows, shrub-steppe
Soil:
Sandy, clay, or rocky material
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
For optimum growth provided a balanced fertilizer in early spring
Mulch:
Use gravel or stone
Do not over-water, put in full sun, plant in well-drained rocky or sandy soils
Long Term:
Winter:
Ensure excellent drainage, mulch if not done in fall
Spring:
Give sull sun, low watering, cut back old dry stems, give sandy or rocky soils
Summer:
Full sun, low watering, well-drained soil, deadhead to promote re-blooming
Fall:
Cut back dead foliage to ground level, cease watering
General Care Comments:
Thrives in full sun, needs exceptionally well-draining sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil, do not overwater, cut back late winter or fall to make way for spring growth
Common Problems
Poor growth in rich soils, aggressive spread
Diseases:
Rust, wilt
Insects:
Grasshoppers, aphids, wireworms and cutworms, lygus bugs, leafhoppers
Environmental Problems:
Susceptibility to root rot, gets powdery mildew, sensitive to overwatering, prone to aphids, can spread aggressively
Pests:
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