Description

Blue flax is one of many California natives that occur in many parts of North America. It is found from Alaska to Baja California, and east to the Mississippi. The species is named for Meriwether Lewis of Lewis and Clark fame who encountered it in his explorations west of the Missouri River. Blue flax grows as a dense bunch of narrow branches with small needle-like leaves, topped with one to several blue flowers. It is an adaptable, short-lived perennial for full sun to light shade. It produces abundant seed which volunteer sporadically. It has not been weedy in my San Jose garden. Winter deciduous.