In the summer of 2005 I purchased a dwarf golden flax (Linum flavum ‘Compactum’) plant in a 10 cm pot from a garden centre. I was in a blue flax phase (still am, as all the plants I bought then have blithely reseeded themselves everywhere) and I was thrilled by the promise of the bright yellow colour of this new-to-me flax. I just stuck it in the ground in full sun, up against a wall, near some Salvia x superba and a ‘Confetti Cherry Red’ dianthus.
Fast-forward to summer 2012, and my dwarf golden flax was just LOADED with blooms this year…it’s finally finished now, but the blooming period is long (about six weeks, from mid-June to the end of July/early August). It’s one of my favourite perennials in the garden, so cheerful and delicate-looking. It’s a perfect, tidy mound, about 30 cm tall and 45 cm wide. I never have to do anything with it and yet it performs like a star. It’s amazingly drought-tolerant (which is great, because I am ghastly at watering regularly). Dwarf golden flax doesn’t seem to reseed itself in the garden in the mad fashion of blue flax, so I haven’t had any volunteers pop up…to my dismay. Maybe this year I should finally save some seed!
Are you growing dwarf golden flax?
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I’m always on the lookout for drought-tolerant plants, so thank you for posting this! It looks really pretty!
It definitely has a lot going for it! 🙂 It’s time I planted a few more of them!
Haven’t seen it growing in my area, but would definitely be interested in trying it.
The length of bloom-time is exceptional and it definitely brightens up the garden!
a wonderful drought tolerant plant is worth its weight in gold…golden floers that are stunning…I will have to check it out
It’s a great plant in dry areas, and so pretty, too! 🙂
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Walled garden, Southern California, dappled sunlight – Mine begins blooming about Christmas, peaks from the end of January to the end of February, tapers, and will throw of blooms lightly all summer. This was a lucky find for me also – it loves to bloom!
I agree with you – I think they’re simply fabulous! (And super-versatile, too). I’m definitely going to put in a few more plants this spring! You’re fortunate in that you can get blooms at this time of year…we’re still buried under snow here. Thanks so much for your comment! 🙂