Perennial Flax

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Clade: Angiosperms
• Clade: Eudicots
• Order: Malpighiales
• Family: Linaceae
• Genus: Linum
• Species: Linum perenne

Common Names by Region

• North America: Perennial flax, Blue flax (sometimes)
• Europe: Perennial flax
• Garden / horticulture trade: Blue flax, Perennial blue flax

---

Description

Quick ID

A delicate-looking but tough perennial with clear blue, five-petaled flowers and fine, grasslike leaves on slender stems. Blooms often open in sun and can be short-lived day-to-day, but the plant produces many flowers over its season.

Flower

• Color: Typically vivid sky-blue to violet-blue (occasionally lighter tones)
• Structure: 5 petals; subtle veining; pale center; prominent light stamens
• Behavior: Flowers may open best in bright light and close or fade quickly, replaced by new blooms

Leaves & Stem

• Leaves: Narrow, linear, sparse along the stems
• Stems: Thin, upright to lightly arching, often forming airy clumps

Growth Form

• Habit: Clump-forming perennial
• Overall look: “Wildflower-fine” texture with a single, crisp flower face that reads clearly even at a distance

---

Known Range

• Native range: Broadly across parts of Europe and western/central Asia (exact local nativity varies by region and classification).
• Introduced/used elsewhere: Widely planted and naturalized in some areas as an ornamental and meadow species.

Care / Habitat

Natural Habitat Tendencies

• Open grasslands, dry slopes, rocky or well-drained soils
• Prefers sun and airflow; does poorly in persistently wet soil

Garden Cultivation

• Light: Full sun (best flowering)
• Soil: Well-drained, lean-to-moderate fertility; sandy or gravelly soils are ideal
• Water: Moderate while establishing; drought-tolerant once established
• Spacing: Give it room for airflow; clumps expand gradually

Wildlife Value

• Attractive to pollinators (bees and other flower visitors) due to open, accessible floral structure.

Propagation / Reproduction

• Seed: Readily started from seed; direct sow or start in trays
• Division: Possible for established clumps (gentle handling)
• Self-seeding: Can occur in favorable sites, especially in well-drained meadow plantings

Pests / Diseases / Threats

• Generally low trouble when sited correctly
• Main risk: Root issues from poor drainage / overwatering
• Occasional foliar issues in humid, stagnant conditions—usually solved by sun and airflow

---

Additional Notes

• Do not confuse with cultivated flax (Linum usitatissimum), the classic fiber/seed flax; L. perenne is primarily ornamental/ecological planting.
• Best used where its fine texture and clean blue can read—meadow edges, rock gardens, dry borders, and “prairie-style” plantings.

Maintenance / Management

• Deadheading: Optional; can extend bloom appearance and reduce self-seeding
• Cutback: Light trim after flowering can tidy plants and encourage fresh growth
• Long-term: Avoid rich soil and over-fertilizing—this plant performs best lean and sunny