Pale flax
Linum bienne · Linaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant pale flax: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Blooming
- May to July, blue or pink flowers
- Adult size
- 30 to 60 cm in height
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Hardy to -15°C
- Origin
- Mediterranean Basin and Middle East
- Soil type
- Well-drained, light, poor to medium
Care
Watering
Water moderately during the growing season, especially during prolonged dry spells. Once established, biennial flax tolerates drought well and doesn't require regular watering. Avoid excess moisture, which promotes fungal diseases.
Light Exposure
Place your biennial flax in full sun for optimal growth and abundant flowering. It tolerates light partial shade, but may become leggy. Choose a well-ventilated location to minimize health problems.
Soil
Prefer well-drained, light soil: sandy or stony is ideal. Biennial flax dreads waterlogging. Poor to medium soil is sufficient; overly rich soil would promote excessive foliage at the expense of flowering.
Pruning and Deadheading
No real pruning is necessary. You can remove spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooming. At the end of the cycle, pull up or cut stems down to ground level after fruiting.
Fertilizing
Fertilizer is generally not essential on poor soil. If soil is low in nutrients, apply balanced fertilizer in spring as a diluted solution. Avoid excess nitrogen, which would stimulate foliage at the expense of flowers.
Diseases and Pests
Biennial flax is generally robust. Watch for rust or leaf spot in case of excessive humidity: improve air circulation and reduce watering. Pests are rare under normal conditions.
Did you know?
Flax is one of the oldest textile fibers cultivated by mankind: the Egyptians used it to make mummy linen. Biennial flax, less productive than cultivated flax (Linum usitatissimum), is beloved by gardeners for its delicate blue flowers and its ability to self-seed naturally, creating a flowering meadow effect year after year.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Fairy flaxLinum catharticum
- FlaxLinum usitatissimum
- Linum tenuifoliumLinum tenuifolium
- Linum strictumLinum strictum
- AllseedRadiola linoides
- Linum suffruticosumLinum suffruticosum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.