Topic: NOT red flax... what is it? [Solved] Blue Flax

[Triss]

One of the things that I started in a container was red flax... or so I thought.  This is what it looked like as a seedling.

(clickable images)


It has very dainty blue flowers.  I did not get a very good picture of this at all when it was in bloom.



And finally here are the seed pods.  A little blurry but it was the best of those I took.



Any ideas?

[Tina]

Look up images of blue flax, Triss. I can't tell from your pics but maybe....

[Patty S]

Triss, your clickable pic of the "dainty blue flowers" doesn't come up any bigger than the thumbnail, so I can't see them very well.  From what I can make out of the seed pods, along with your description, it sounds sorta like the Wild Blue Flax that I brought up from the field a couple of years ago, cuz I thought the little flowers were so pretty.
They are pretty little things, but I'm STILL fighting them!
     

There are different varieties of Flax, so if yours IS Flax, maybe it isn't the exact same one as mine.  I have no idea if they're all invasive like these wild ones are, but be careful with the seeds, till you know for sure!

[Triss]

Yes, that is it.  So I guess someone got their colors mixed up.  I can save the seed pods now and label them correctly.  I like them, invasive or not.  The blue is a color I do not have a ton of in my garden so it is a nice tough and I can grow them in the background next season. 

Thanks!

[Tina]

There are several different blue flaxes Triss and not all are invasive. I love them and they are welcome to invade here. But they tend to die off in our overwhelming heat. Even the perennial types.
In mass,  you can plant red, whit and blue. Each flower is tiny but it makes a great showing in a big garden.

[Triss]

Oh that is a good idea Tina.  I am with you in that I do not mind the invasiveness of the plants.   Now I will have to find some seeds for the others!

[Tina]

Try these
http://www.americanmeadows.com//WildflowerSeeds/Species.aspx  for blue flax
http://www.outsidepride.com/catalog/Seed-p-4-c-319.html  for red flax
These are sold in bulk. I have another favorite where I have bought seeds by the pound or quarter pound but I cannot find it right now.

[Triss]

That sure is a lot of seed!  I dunno that I have the space for that many.  I sure think a nice 2x2 space would be pretty filled with all 3 colors or even just a larger space of blues since I only had 3 plants come up this season.

[Tina]

A quarter pound and spread the joy amongst your friends? I was buying in bulk to sprinkle over large areas. California poppies did well. Black-eyed susans too. They did re-seed themselves for a few years but eventually petered out in a couple of very poor rainy seasons.
I'm trying to remember what all i bought. It was years ago.

[Tina]

I found it. My absolute favorite wild flower seed place. Long before  my computer, I used to order from their catalog.  I love their info for best areas and the looks of the seedlings. They are sold in packets too. As well as bulk.
http://www.wildseedfarms.com/default.htm

[Triss]

I ordered a catalog from that spot.  I love the seed mixes that they have listed by area there.  I may just place an order for one of those.