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Linum lewisii (Blue flax)

Photo/Illustration: Jennifer Benner

(Based on 1 user review)

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Hardiness Zones:

Botanical Name: Linum lewisii LY-num loo-ISS-ee-eye

Common Name: Blue flax Synonyms: Linum perenne ssp. lewisii Genus: Linum

Blue flax is a short-lived perennial with blue-green needlelike leaves on graceful 2-foot-tall stems. Satiny sky blue flowers, borne on wiry stems, appear in late spring, last through mid-summer, and open fully only on sunny days. Small rounded seedheads form in summer.
Noteworthy characteristics: Discovered and documented by Meriwether Lewis, in whose honor it was named.
Care: Grow in lean, well-drained soil and full sun. Cut back to sedum-like basal growth in formal plantings or leave spent flower stems behind to blend in with a naturalistic setting.
Propagation: Sow seed in spring or autumn.
Problems: Stem rot, rust, wilt, anthracnose, damping off, slugs, snails, and aphids.

Overview
User Reviews
Photos

Height	1 ft. to 3 ft.
Light	Full Sun Only
Moisture	Medium Moisture
Tolerance	Deer Tolerant
Characteristics	Self Seeds; Showy Seed Heads
Bloom Time	Summer
Flower Color	Blue Flower
Uses	Beds and Borders
Seasonal Interest	Spring Interest, Summer Interest
Type	Perennials

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posted by isabo
2/16/2010
Region: Upper Plains
Zone: 3

I live rural and the deer are always a concern, to date this is one of the few flowering perennials they have not eaten! Excellent winter hardiness here in the border between zn 2&3 plus prefers our drier summer conditions on a heavier clay-based soil. Best in full sun, blooms strongly from early June through September, will seed occasionally but definitly not invasive. One of the best blues, plus its grass-like texture adds movement to the border.

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