Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Back to Search

Photo:

Kathy Ketchum

Perennial Flax

Latin Name:

Linum perenne 'Lewisii'

Sky blue flowers

Taxon ID#

54 MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

5 Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

M

Soil Preference:

Average, medium, well drained

Fertilizer Needs:

Recommended Mulch:

Family:

Linaceae

Origins:

Plant Type:

Herbaceous Plant, Perennial

Native to Europe that has naturalized throughout North America

Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

no

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

Short, narrow, linear leaves to 1" long

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

Blue

Flower Description:

Five petaled, sky blue flowers that only open for one day.

Fall color:

no

Fall Color Description:

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

Mature height:

12-24"

Mature spread:

9-18"

Growth rate:

Fast

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

yes

Fire Resistant:

yes

Attracts Pollinators:

yes

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

Native Habitat:

Variety of habitats including forests, deserts, grasslands, riparian, and disturbed sites.

Attracts Birds:

no

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Photo:

Used by Wildlife:

no

Hedge/Screen:

no

Swales:

no

Wildlife Use:

Border:

yes

Erosion Control:

no

Windbreak:

no

Cover Structures:

no

Ground Cover:

no

Provides Shade:

no

Rock Garden:

yes

Adds Texture/Movement:

no

First Bloom:

May

Last Bloom:

Jun

Ornamental Accent:

yes

Garden Observations:

Reseeded nicely in 2021

SEASONAL CARE

Spring Care:

Summer Care:

Cut some stems by half mid-way through bloom period to extend flowering

Fall Care:

Winter Care:

Long Term Care:

Insect Pests:

No serious insect pests

Wildlife Pests:

Diseases:

No serious diseases

Environmental Problems:

Tends to root shallowly in heavy clay soils resulting in poor winter survival

Landscape Problems:

Care Comments:

Tolerates heat, humidity and drought

RESOURCES

OSU Landscape Profile:

USDA Plants:

https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=LIPE2

Calscape Database:

https://calscape.org/loc-California/Linum%20lewisii%20(Prairie%20Flax)

LBJ Native Plant Database:

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LILEL2

Missouri Botanical Garden Database:

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d900

Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:

Kathy Ketchum

Perennial Flax

​

​

Latin Name:

Taxon ID#

54

MAINTENANCE

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

5

Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

M

Soil Preference:

Average, medium, well drained

Fertilizer Needs:

​

Recommended Mulch:

​

Family:

Origins:

Plant Type:

Herbaceous Plant, Perennial

Native to Europe that has naturalized throughout North America

Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

no

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

Short, narrow, linear leaves to 1" long

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

Blue

Flower Description:

Five petaled, sky blue flowers that only open for one day.

Fall color:

no

Fall Color Description:

​

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

​

Mature height:

12-24"

Mature spread:

9-18"

Growth rate:

Fast

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

yes

Fire Resistant:

yes

Attracts Pollinators:

yes

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

Native Habitat:

Variety of habitats including forests, deserts, grasslands, riparian, and disturbed sites.

Attracts Birds:

no

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Photo:

​

Used by Wildlife:

no

Hedge/Screen:

no