Scarlet Flax

Scarlet Flax is a stunning flowering plant that dazzles with its vibrant crimson-red blooms. This plant grows to about 12-18 inches tall, making it a perfect addition to flower beds, borders, or containers. Its delicate, cup-shaped flowers appear on slender, elegant stems and provide a striking contrast against the plant's narrow green foliage. The blooms last for several weeks, creating a continuous burst of color throughout the summer months. The plant is drought-tolerant once established, making it a great choice for low-maintenance gardens. With its ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, Scarlet Flax not only enhances your garden's beauty but also contributes to the local ecosystem. This hardy perennial thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, offering a perfect solution for those looking to add a pop of color to any space. Whether you plant it in a sunny border, or use it to add contrast to other plants, its vibrant red flowers are sure to steal the show!

Also Known As: Linum Grandiflorum Rubrum, Red Flax, Crimson Flax, Scarlet Flax, Large-Flowered Red Flax, Red Linum, Grandiflorum Red, Red-flowered Linum, Ruby Flax, Firecracker Flax, Red Linseed, Large Red Flax, Scarlet Linum.

Plant Name:	Flax, Scarlet
Latin Name:	Linum grandiflorum rubrum
Days to Germinate:	7-14
Days to Bloom:	55
Plant Height:	1 - 2 Feet
Spread:	12 - 18 Inches
Bloom Diameter:	1 - 2 inches
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	3-11
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 6-8 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. If the soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in some sand or compost to improve drainage. Optionally, form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 2 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage, ensure good airflow, and make harvesting for cut flowers easier. Lay down 1/2"-3/4" peat moss, sawdust, or potting soil, the soil surface. This layer is beneficial for flower seeds because it can the improve the germination environment and prevent soil crusting.

Planting:

Starting Indoors: For earlier blooms, you may optionally cold-stratify seeds for at least 30 days then start planting indoors in containers 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring, keeping seedlings at least 65F. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 60F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant after the first hard frost in early Spring to cold-stratify seeds. Plants will germinate in late Spring when the soil warms to at least 60F. Fall planting is not recommended unless planting outdoors in environments with mild, frost-free winters, or planting indoors with supplemental grow lights. For blooms in late Spring of the following year, sow outdoors after the first hard frost in Fall to cold-stratify seeds.

To plant, make holes 1/8 inch deep and spaced 12-18 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole, then cover thinly with soil. In small plots, flower seeds may be scattered and gently watered in. Once seedlings emerge, plants can separated and spaced 12-18 inches apart to allow room for mature plants to spread and prevent overcrowding. Water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/8 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	12-18 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	2-3 feet

Care During the Season:

Once established, Scarlet Flax is drought-tolerant and require minimal care. During the season, deadhead spent blooms to encourage continued flowering and prevent self-seeding if not desired. For flax seeds, harvest after the blue flowers have died back and the bolls have turned tan and started to crack, and seeds are loose; usually 35 days after flowering. Thresh.