Growing Scarlet Flax Linum Garden Seeds

Scarlet Flax linum is easy to grow from seed and recommended for direct sowing outdoors after the frost. Linum has a wildflower habit and most commonly sown by broadcasting. Blend Scarlet Flax linum seeds with sand to increase visibility during sowing. Broadcast the mix over a 10-square foot area and evenly rake and lightly tamp into soil. Seeds can also be sown traditionally in a garden, pot, or planter. Plant 3-4 Scarlet Flax linum seeds ½" deep and 12" apart in average, loamy, light, and well-drained soil in full sun. Plants can tolerate drought conditions, but do not overwater. Avoid overhead watering to minimize wetting foliage since Scarlet Flax linum can be susceptible to downy and powdery mildew. Scarlet Flax will benefit from partial shade during severe summers and has no serious pests. Scarlet Flax linum seeds mature in 77-84 days as 18-24" branching shrubs with a 12" spread of 2" wildflower blooms in vibrant shades of scarlet and crimson.

Linum grandiflorum var. rubrum, or more commonly known as Scarlet Flax, Red Flax, or Crimson Flax, is native to Algeria, but the annual branching shrub can be found naturalized widely throughout northern Africa and southern Europe. Scarlet Flax is a member of the Linaceae family or sometimes known as the flax family. Although nearly 200 species of Linaceae are grown to produce flax seed for linseed oil, Linum grandiflorum var. rubrum is cultivated solely as an ornamental variety.