Lewis' Prairie Flax (Linum perenne lewisii)
Lewis' Prairie Flax (Linum perenne lewisii), Herbaceous North American perennial Description: Clear blue, funnel-shaped flowers on slender, somewhat nodding stems in early summer. Fine-textured foliage. Habit: Clump forming plants grow 2 to 3 feet high Culture: Prefers full sun and light, well-drained soil. Tolerates dry conditions. Hardiness: Cold hardy to USDA Zone 5 Origin: North America Attributes: Drought tolerantIn 1806, near the end of their great expedition, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark observed this western North American perennial in the valleys of the Rocky Mountains and along the Missouri River. It was named Linum Lewisii after Captain Lewis. Philadelphia nurseryman Bernard McMahon, who was entrusted with many of the seeds from the expedition, was offering this plant in his catalog by 1815. This subspecies, which is more robust than the common European blue flax, is desirable in the perennial border or sunny wild flower garden for its airy texture and sky blue flowers. Although the individual flowers last only one day, they are produced in such profusion that the plant is in continuous bloom.Lewis' Prairie Flax (Linum perenne lewisii) arrives in a 2.5" pot.