Varieties of Blue Flax

Varieties

• Most available varieties of blue flax are similar to the species in form, color and growth habit. For smaller gardens or other confined situations, Linum perenne "Saphyr," sometimes referred to as "Saphir," features the same blue flowers as the species plant but tops out at about 12 inches. "Bright Eyes" is a brighter blue but otherwise close to the species plant. "Alba" is a white-flowered variety also much like the species plant except for flower color.

Other Flax Species

• The appropriately named beautiful flax (Linum narbonense), hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 9, produces pale to darker blue flowers in late spring. This short-lived perennial plant grows 12 to 24 inches tall. The slender leaves are gray-green, and the plants tend to form clumps. Some other flax species, like golden flax (Linum flavum), which is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 7, bear yellow flowers.

Uses

• The varieties of blue flax, as well as the species plant, are drought tolerant and suitable for dry or xeriscape gardens. Though blue flax is not the flax species used to make linen, it is still suitable for herb gardens because it has long been used medicinally. With their relatively small flowers, flax varieties should be massed or grown in groups of three to five plants. The smaller Linum perenne variety "Saphyr" works well in the front of the border or in a container. Outside their hardiness range, blue flax varieties may be grown as annuals.

Culture

• Grown from seed or cuttings, blue flax varieties have shallow roots and flourish best in light, well-draining soil. The plants tend to be short lived in heavy clay. Water new plants and seedlings frequently until they are established. Flax varieties succeed in full sun to part shade but flower most abundantly in sunny conditions. Even under optimal conditions, the individual flowers last only one day. To promote additional blooms, cut back the stems by half about midway through the spring blooming period.