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Close-up of the showy blue-purple flower of Wild Blue Flax (Linum lewisii). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants nursery in Portland, Oregon
Close-up of the light blue-green foliage of Wild Blue Flax (Linum lewisii). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of the showy blue-purple flower of Wild Blue Flax (Linum lewisii). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of the showy blue-purple flower of Wild Blue Flax (Linum lewisii) with an insect companion. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants nursery in Portland, Oregon
A wild blue flax plant (Linum lewisii) in full flower, growing on dry, sandy soil. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants nursery in Portland, Oregon.
A small wild blue flax plant (Linum lewisii) with light blue flower, growing in a dry, rocky location. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Wild blue flax plant (Linum lewisii) in full flower, growing in a wild meadow. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of the showy blue-purple flower of Wild Blue Flax (Linum lewisii) surrounded by dried light brown seed pods. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Dried, light brown seed pods of wild blue flax plant (Linum lewisii). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants nursery in Portland, Oregon.

Wild Blue Flax (Seeds)

$4.95
$4.95

Linum lewisii

This striking wildflower has blue-green needle-like foliage on thin, dainty stems - making it an excellent filler between other perennials in sunny meadowscapes and pollinator patches. Its small but plentiful sky blue flowers appear in late spring, persist all summer long and provide nectar for butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects.

  • Plant type/canopy layer: deciduous, perennial, herbaceous plant 
  • Size at maturity: 6-30” tall, 0-1' wide
  • Light requirements: full sun
  • Moisture requirements: dry to moist soil, well-drained
  • Bloom time: May - August
  • Growth rate/ease: medium growth rate, easy to grow
  • Wildlife support: flowers attract and provide nectar for adult butterflies, bees and other insect pollinators; overall plant is a caterpillar host plant and larval food source for native butterflies and moths
  • Native habitat/range: naturally grows in shrub-steppe, subalpine, open slopes, mountain meadows and east-side forests across the Pacific Northwest between 450-2750m. Portland Plant List - no.
  • Special features & uses: drought-tolerant; deer resistant; several plants in this genus, usually Linum usitatissimum, have been cultivated traditionally and continue to be cultivated commercially for their edible flax seeds, which are also used to make linseed oil and fibrous stems, which are used to make cords and linen; landscape uses include pollinator gardens, meadowscapes, and erosion control 

Gardening with Wild Blue Flax: This attractive prairie perennial can endure harsh conditions like pathway edges, and exposed slopes, where it helps stabilize loose soils. It prefers full sun and well-drained soils that are dry to moist, and does not grow well in clay. It's exceptionally drought-resistant and will thrive in your meadowscape, pollinator garden, or rock garden. It can spread by seed over time, but is very easy to pull from locations where it may be unwanted. 

Companion Plants: Try it with complementary-colored annuals or other perennials that share similar growing conditions while extending bloom time, adding texture, and supporting pollinators, such as Oregon sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum), California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), western yarrow (Achillea millefolium) meadow checkermallow (Sidalcea campestris) and Clarkia species. 

Photo Credit 1 (flower closeup): Ellyne Geurts, no rights reserved (CC0) 

Photo Credit 2 (foliage): Craig Martin, no rights reserved (CC0)

Photo Credit 3 (flowers): Ellie, no rights reserved (CC0) 

Photo Credit 4: Nikkie West, Sparrowhawk Native Plants

Photo Credit 5 (in sand): Laura Holloway, no rights reserved (CC0)

Photo Credit 6 (on rock): eli, no rights reserved (CC0) 

Photo Credit 7 (wild meadow): Erik Schiff, no rights reserved (CC0)

Photo Credit 8 (flower, seed pods): Kallum McDonald, no rights reserved (CC0)

Photo Credit 9 (seed pods): © Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC-BY)