Lewis Flax
Linum lewisii
Also listed as Adenolinum lewisii
Also known as Blue Flax, Western Blue Flax, Lewis Blue Flax
Climate Match for your location
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Lewis flax is a delicate perennial wildflower with slender stems and bright blue flowers that bloom throughout summer. It thrives in dry, sunny conditions and is excellent for native plantings and xeriscaping.
Why grow it
Lewis flax offers reliable summer color in low-water landscapes where many ornamentals struggle, making it a practical choice for xeric gardens in western North America. Compared to common garden flax (Linum usitatissimum), this native perennial establishes deeper roots and requires minimal maintenance once established. It provides consistent blooms over a longer season than many competing native wildflowers in similar ecological niches.
Watch out for
Plants may self-seed prolifically in ideal conditions, so deadheading spent flowers helps prevent volunteers if you prefer to control spread. Seedlings are slow to establish and benefit from consistent moisture during their first growing season, despite the plant's drought tolerance at maturity. In heavy clay soils or areas with poor drainage, root rot can occur even in plants that are otherwise well-adapted to the site.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Linaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America
Native to: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Lewis flax is a delicate perennial wildflower with slender stems and bright blue flowers that bloom throughout summer. It thrives in dry, sunny conditions and is excellent for native plantings and xeriscaping.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Lewis Flax grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Lewis flax offers reliable summer color in low-water landscapes where many ornamentals struggle, making it a practical choice for xeric gardens in western North America. Compared to common garden flax (Linum usitatissimum), this native perennial establishes deeper roots and requires minimal maintenance once established. It provides consistent blooms over a longer season than many competing native wildflowers in similar ecological niches.
Watch out for
Plants may self-seed prolifically in ideal conditions, so deadheading spent flowers helps prevent volunteers if you prefer to control spread. Seedlings are slow to establish and benefit from consistent moisture during their first growing season, despite the plant's drought tolerance at maturity. In heavy clay soils or areas with poor drainage, root rot can occur even in plants that are otherwise well-adapted to the site.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Linaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America
Native to: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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