Linum perenne

For a fascinating blog about the taxonomy of Linum species and the role that blue flax plays in the ecosystem, check out this blog by our friend Daniel Murphy at Awkward Botany. 

Seeds grown by Kelsey Jae in Boise, Idaho and Quel Ranch in Garden City, Idaho.

150 seeds.

Directions: Germinates best with a period of exposure to cold and moist conditions. Direct seed in late fall to early spring. Seed requires light to germinate, so cover seeds very lightly with soil and tamp down to ensure good seed to soil contact. To start indoors, remove seeds from the packet and wrap in a moist (but not sopping wet) coffee filter or paper towel, place in a plastic sandwich bag, then place in a clean glass jar. Store the jar with seeds in the refrigerator for 4 weeks. If you want to broadcast the seed (rather than sowing individually), mix the seeds with moist sand in a plastic bag. Put the bag in a clean jar and the place in the refrigerator for 4 weeks. Then plant the cold-stratified seed. Sow seeds on the surface of the soil and press lightly into the soil. Transplant outside when plants are big enough to handle easily. Do not leave in pots for too long, as flax resent having their roots disturbed.