The flax plant has long been successfully grown in Russia for the manufacture of natural fabrics, ropes, ropes, hemp and healing linseed oil, rich in vitamins and microelements. Flax cultivation has been practiced for a long time, the first mention of the cultivation of a crop on the territory of Russia dates back to the 6th century BC. Many folk songs have been composed about delicate blue flowers. This article is all about growing flax.
Flax has long been planted in Russia for the production of hemp and canvas.
Flax in Russia was grown for domestic consumption, linen fabrics were widely used for making clothes, and linseed oil- for food. Very soon, Russian merchants established the supply of flax to European countries where the high quality of the products was appreciated.
The area under flax crops in Russian fields gradually expanded. During the reign of Peter the Great, the cultivation of flax and its processing acquired industrial dimensions. Weaving manufactories were built to process linen raw materials, which quickly expanded thanks to government orders. The Russian Tsar Peter the First ordered to trade with Europe not in raw materials of flax, but finished products Therefore, Russian breeders began to produce ropes, canvas, hemp rope and other products from flax straw and seeds.
The history of the development of the flax industry has seen unprecedented ups and downs, but the culture is still cultivated in the fields of our country for the needs of the medical and light industry.
Flax: botanical reference
Flax seed pods ripen in the middle of summer.
Flax is an annual plant of the Flax family. Culture came to Russia from Asian countries. In nature, flax is widespread in the Mediterranean and Indochina; at present, the plant is widely cultivated in Europe, Asia, North America and North Africa.
Sown flax reaches a height of 150 cm. The bluish-green straight stem of the plant begins to branch in the upper part during the formation of inflorescences. Scarce narrow leaves are arranged along the stem in the form of a spiral; the higher to the crown, the smaller the leaves become.
Flax flowers are full of charm - delicate blue folded petals bloom in early summer. During flowering, a flax field resembles a blue sky, such a pure color of wildflowers tuned in to a poetic mood, therefore, about a blooming flax field is folded great amount tender songs.
After flowering, flax stems are crowned with small boxes with varnished flattened seeds. Typically one box contains about 10 seeds, which are used for plant propagation and the preparation of flaxseed oil.
Varieties and varieties
Flax seed has charming flowers of a soft blue tone.
Growing flax on an industrial scale involves the use of several plant varieties:
- Fiber flax - the height of the stems does not exceed 125 cm. The stem is single, little branches. The flower honor is compact, up to 20 cm high. Flax of this variety ripens in 2-3 months. For industrial production use the stem from which linen is made, the fire for the production building materials... Flax seeds are used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and oils. Flax fiber is used for the production of natural fabrics and is an irreplaceable raw material for the textile industry.
- Flax-curly is a low plant with strong branching. The bush reaches a maximum size of 60 cm. The main purpose of this variety of flax is to obtain seeds for oil production. Ripening period - up to 130 days.
- Len-mezheumok - does not grow higher than 70 cm. The stem is single from below, strong branching begins from the middle part. This type of flax is used mainly for obtaining seeds; short, low-quality fiber is sometimes made from the stems.
- Creeping flax is a low plant up to 40 cm high. The main purpose of a multistem plant is to harvest seeds.
- Flax decorative large-flowered - annual unpretentious plant with bright colors pink-coral colors. There are plants with white petals. The flower fits perfectly into the general style when planting in mixed flower beds and beds with annuals, is indispensable in the composition of Mauritanian lawns. If you plant large-flowered flax in May, the plants will bloom until autumn. The plant reproduces well by self-seeding, tolerates transplantation well.
- Perennial flax is used to decorate sunny areas of the garden. The height of perennial plants does not exceed 30-40 cm, so the plants are planted on alpine hills and rockeries. Sky blue flowers look great next to escholzia, aquilegia or lavender among the rubble natural stone... Growing from seeds is not particularly difficult, flax can be sown directly into open ground.
Growing flax outdoors
It is worth noting that flax is a fairly unpretentious crop that can grow on poor soil in partial shade and in the sun, but for productive cultivation it is necessary to create optimal conditions for the plant:
- Choosing a planting site - for the successful cultivation of a crop, it is necessary to choose a sunny place with sandy soil. It is not allowed that the groundwater level on the site comes close to the soil surface. Flax shank roots do not tolerate getting wet.
- Sowing dates - to obtain a crop of flax for industrial purposes, sowing of seeds is carried out in early spring... Seeds are capable of germination at a temperature of + 5-6C, seedlings are able to withstand short-term frosts.
- Purity planting material- When sowing, flax seeds must be free of impurities and weed seeds.
- Illumination - open sun.
- Soil composition - sandy soils, sandy loam. Presowing treatment is of particular importance for increasing yields.
- Seeding rate - on average, the consumption rate of flax seeds is 30-35 kg / ha, subject to a high degree of germination of the seed.
Decorative flax varieties (annual and perennial) are unpretentious, plants grow together from seeds when embedded in the soil shallowly. Flowering plants are full of charm, perennial varieties up to 5-6 years old can grow in one place without dividing the bush and replanting.
Linen: planting and care
Large-flowered flax - adorable plant for sunny areas.
Some flax varieties can be grown indoors, for these purposes, low-growing varieties of annual and perennial varieties are suitable. At home, growing plants is great on sunny windowsills and backyards. It is worth choosing beds that are protected from cold drafts - light petals of flax flowers quickly lose their decorative effect when exposed to gusts of wind.
On the plot, large-flowered annual flax is sown in the beds in April or May, the later the culture is planted, the longer the flowering period will last.
Before planting, the land plot must be carefully dug, after which humus or compost is introduced into the soil at the rate of 3 kg per 1 m2, a tablespoon of ash and the same amount of double superphosphate. Granular superphosphate dissolves slowly when watering, gradually absorbed by plants, stimulating long-term flowering.
Before sowing seeds, the soil is watered, leveled with a rake, after 2-3 days they are sown in the ground. Flax can be planted with seedlings to ensure early flowering, in this case, the seeds should be sown at the end of February in greenhouses.
Flax's resistance to cold allows for pre-winter sowing of crops in open ground. It is very important not to overmoisten the beds so that the seeds do not rot in wet soil. Sowing of annual flax in winter allows you to get flowering plants at the end of spring.
There is one subtlety for increasing the duration of flowering - the removal of immature seed pods. This operation stimulates the plant to bloom for a long time.
Ornamental and cultivated flax varieties are ideal plants for decorating garden plots and obtaining environmentally friendly seeds for medicinal purposes.
Long-term linen, so familiar to most of us, is often overshadowed when choosing suitable decorative flowers for garden plot... But in vain. After all, this plant has long been considered a real decoration of any home and its protector. Flax is a completely unpretentious plant, but at the same time it is capable of blooming with incredible luxurious flowers. By the way, contrary to popular belief, flax does not have to be blue. Today you will learn about all the features of growing perennial blue flax in the open field: planting, care, use in landscape design (photo materials are attached).
Perennial blue flax: description, main varieties and varieties
Flax belongs to the genus of herbaceous plants, numbering about 200 plants of various appearance and properties. Most often, flax is represented by a small plant, reaching a height of about 0.5 m, with rather thin, but strong stems and flowers of various sizes (they are both small and large enough) of a pale blue, white or pink-red hue ...
It is actively cultivated in mid-latitudes. The plant prefers a temperate climate, so blue flax can most often be found in North America, Africa, in some parts of Europe and Asia.
Among the existing types and varieties of flax, the following can be distinguished (photo below):
- Oilseed. This ornamental flax variety is grown at home, often with the goal of producing nutritious and incredibly healthy flax seeds. The plant usually reaches a height of no more than 30 cm. The flowers are relatively small. Their color can be pale blue, yellow and even red.
Oil flax
- Decorative. One of the most picky flax varieties: growing it is a pleasure even for a novice gardener. In addition, it is from decorative varieties linen, durable natural clothing is produced.
- Large-flowered. This variety of flax appeared in domestic gardening not so long ago and immediately became one of the "favorites" among gardeners - lovers of home flora. The plant can be called medium-sized - it usually reaches a height of 0.5 m. The flowers of decorative flax are very large, represented by a rich gamut of shades. Decorative flax is considered a perennial: when favorable conditions in one place he can live up to 5 years.
Large-flowered flax
- Perennial flax. This type of flax is considered the most common among all existing. Perennial flax is used to decorate flower walls, borders, etc.
Planting plants in open ground
The plant cannot be called particularly picky about growing conditions, but nevertheless, flax, regardless of the variety or variety, needs a sufficient amount of sunlight, therefore, a site for planting it must be chosen that is completely not shaded by either houses or trees.
Advice. If you are a resident of a region where the sun is considered a rather rare phenomenon, unfortunately, it is better for you to refuse to grow perennial flax.
The soil for planting flax can be almost any, but you will hardly be able to grow flax in a swampy area. The soil must be light, with a sufficiently deep groundwater bed. Perennial flax will perfectly take root even on slopes (but not too steep).
Planting perennial flax varieties is best done indoors, but if the climate is warm enough, you can sow them directly into open ground, and it is advisable not to deepen the seeds into the ground, but simply spread them on the ground and spray with water from a spray bottle.
Flax bush
Growing in open ground is possible both in spring (when the temperature reaches a stable 20 degrees) and in autumn (when the temperature has not yet dropped below 20 degrees).
Advice. When growing perennial flax in the open field, be sure to take into account the cold factor: planting cannot be carried out in wet or rainy weather, and after this process, the seeds must be covered with a small layer of soil, then insulated as an ordinary flower crop.
Plant propagation
Perennial flax is propagated in several ways:
- Seeds. As we already know, seed reproduction is possible both in spring and autumn (when seed is sown in winter). The seeds are carefully laid out on the ground (without deepening into the soil) and slightly moistened with water. By the way, perennial varieties can be safely grown even in summer. When grown in containers (meaning a permanent place because seedling method cultivation of flax with subsequent transplantation is ineffective) removal to an open place is carried out immediately after sowing.
- By dividing the bush. This method reproduction is relevant for biennial plants. The process of separating several parts from the mother bush is usually carried out in mid-spring, or after the end of the flowering period - in August. Parts of the bush are usually planted at a distance of about 20 cm from each other. They require constant watering and protection from direct sunlight.
Blue flax care: watering and feeding regime, pest control
So that in the summer the plant will delight you with a luxurious, albeit not too long flowering, be sure to make sure that it receives complete care... Further, what kind of care will be required for perennial flax when grown in the open field.
In order for the plant to remain healthy and "live" a full life, it is necessary to provide it with periodic watering, which, by the way, should not turn the surface of the soil into a swampy area.
Avoid stagnant water near flax roots
Remember that flax does not like stagnant water. A sufficient frequency of watering can be about 1-2 times a week (depending on the dryness of the period and the temperature characteristics of the region). Keep the soil moist at all times. But with the onset of autumn, it is advisable to reduce watering to a minimum, and then stop altogether.
In addition to watering, flax will also need periodic weeding, since weeds and excessive thickening of the plant do not have the best effect on appearance flax.
Top dressing - you cannot call the weak point of perennial flax, so you can forget about the constant preparation of nutrient mixtures for the soil. It is imperative to make organic fertilizing a few days before sowing the seed and add a little there. potash fertilizer... Throughout the season, it is advisable to add liquid dressings at least a couple of times. It is advisable to carry out the process of feeding the plants immediately after watering.
As for diseases, then flax has something to brag about, because the plant is not susceptible to any diseases. Unless a flax flea can sometimes attack him. Unfortunately, folk remedies they are powerless in the fight against it, therefore, immediately when a small pest appears, it is necessary to treat the area with growing flax with a special chemical.
Combination with other plants
In order for flax to take root well in the garden and become a worthy decoration for it, remember that best combination Plants are observed mainly with crops with a similar development pattern and growing conditions.
Linen in landscape design
Gardeners are very fond of using perennial blue flax in a variety of group compositions: in flower beds, in flower beds, in mixborders, colorful borders and even rock gardens.
An excellent combination of flax is observed with sun-loving and moisture-resistant plants. Perennial flax grows surprisingly well on Mauritanian lawns. It will ideally play in tandem with chamomile, marigolds, cornflowers and clover.
As we can see, perennial blue flax is a wonderful plant that, with very little effort on your part, can respond with the beauty of its blue petals that adorn your garden plot. Good luck!
Perennial flax: video
Monday, May 21, 2012
Flax blue refers to perennials. In addition to blue, there are red and white, but these are already annuals.
Perennial herb up to 50-60 cm tall. Woody shoots, thin, numerous, small-leaved. Leaves are small, linear-lanceolate, arranged in regular order. The flowers are sky blue, up to 2 cm in diameter.
There are white-flowered forms of perennial flax Linum perenne. June August. Flowers close in the afternoon. Blue flax requires open, sunny places. It grows well and blooms on permeable, not very dry soils.
The best development is achieved when flax is grown on light, fertile, moderately moist soils. Blue linen does not require special care. Care consists of watering, removing wilted flowers and pruning flower shoots in the fall.
Blue flax is drought-resistant, winters well without shelter. Perennial flax is propagated by seeds, cuttings and dividing the bush. Seeds are sown before winter, although they can be sown in spring, in May, in open ground immediately to a permanent place. Seedlings dive, maintaining a distance of 5-8 cm.
Perennial flax blooms in the second year after sowing. Plants grown from seed produce more abundant flowers. They are stronger than those obtained by dividing the bush, which is usually carried out in April or August.
The distance when planting in a permanent place is 15-20 cm between plants. It grows wild in southern Russia, Siberia, and Europe. It has been cultivated since the 17th century. In the cut, Linum perenne is not worth it.
They are used on Moorish lawns and flower meadows, in combination with other perennials in flower beds and flower beds with bright flowers. Blue flax goes well with herbal carnation, as well as with plants that have yellow or white flowers.
Flax blue can be planted in a large group to obtain a certain effect. HOMELAND: Southern Europe, South-Western Asia The genus flax includes more than 200 species of herbaceous and semi-shrub, annual and perennial, hardy and delicate plants, which are characterized by simple leaves without stems and funnel-shaped flowers. Some types of flax are widely used in agriculture and production (for example, flax Linum usitatissimum and two of its subspecies: Vulgare, from which textile fibers are made, and Humile, which is grown for seeds).
Many types of flax have decorative value and are highly valued by flower growers. Among them are perennial creeping alpine flax (Linum alpinum), bell flax (L. campanulatum) with oblong-lance-shaped leaves and yellow flowers, flax capitatum (Linum capitatum), reaching 40- 50 cm in height, with spear-shaped leaves and flowers of a delightful golden yellow hue. In plants belonging to the species perennial flax (Linum perenne), they have straight spear-shaped leaves and blue flowers blooming in spring and summer.
Large-flowered flax (Linum grandiflorum) is quite popular among annuals. Numerous varieties of flax have been bred by breeders. See also: How and what home plant flax seeds are widely available for sale. In addition, young potted plants can be purchased in flower shops in spring (perennials are available from spring to autumn).
Growing flax
The annual large-flowered flax (Linum grandiflorum) is usually grown in boxes that are placed on windowsills or balconies, perennial species are used to decorate borders and alpine slides. Note that perennials should be updated every three to five years.
Flax requires alkaline, well-drained soil, fertilized at the time of planting with organic or three-component fertilizer. In spring, a complex liquid fertilizer for flowering plants is added to the water for irrigation once or twice, or a little granular fertilizer is applied to the soil.
Location for the plant
Flax needs bright sunlight.
Temperature for the flower
Perennial species are resistant to both high and low temperatures.
Watering the plant
Perennials require moist soil, so watering should be frequent; annuals tolerate drought well.
Flax care
After the end of flowering, wilted inflorescences must be cut off.
Flax propagation
Seeds of perennials in spring or autumn are sown directly into the soil. Later, the seedlings are thinned out so that a distance of 20 cm remains between adjacent plants. Annual seeds are sown in containers.
Young plants are then placed in pots. In late summer, perennial species can be propagated by cuttings or by dividing bushes. In the first year, young plants should be sheltered for the winter by placing them in a sheltered place.
Diseases and pests
Flax is susceptible to fungal attacks, which can lead to wilting of the plant and the appearance of rot on the stems. This disease is fought by using appropriate drugs. Root nodules can be caused by nematodes.
In this case, marigolds are planted next to flax, which act as repellents.
Below are other entries on the topic "Cottage and garden - do it yourself"
Herbaceous perennial garden flowers. Linen (linum)
It does not have outstanding aesthetic qualities and is a technical rather than decorative culture, therefore, it is a rare guest in the areas among them. However, it can also be used to create groups in prefabricated flower beds.
There is in him a certain modest charm of a wild inhabitant of the steppes. Linen looks good among white daisies and other flowers that do not differ in the brightness and catchiness of their appearance. Against the background, especially ornamental plants flax can just get lost.
Flax Description
Flax is a perennial plant with small sky-blue flowers. Among admirers garden flowers The most popular is large-flowered flax. This plant is 35-50 cm high with thin but strong stems and narrow leaves.
The flowers are five-petal, sky-blue, 3-3.5 cm in diameter. The petals fall quickly, but new ones bloom and continuous flowering lasts from July to the end of September. Flax is photophilous, cold-resistant and unpretentious.
Tolerates light frost. Plots like open, sunny, and soils - any, but without stagnant water.
Growing and caring for flax
Dig the soil under the flax, add 3-4 kg of compost or humus and 1 tablespoon of potassium sulfate, superphosphate and Agricola for flowering plants fertilizer. Everything is covered with a rake and watered.
The soil should always be moderately moist so that the bushes do not tilt to the side. For the same purpose, flax should be planted in a group more densely.
Flax propagation
Flax is propagated by seeds, which are sown in open ground in summer. The next year, flax blooms in early June and blooms until the end of September. Tolerates transplant well.
Decorative flax - growing
Natural fabrics appeared on the shelves of our stores thanks to ordinary flax, which is recognizable by its delicate blue inflorescences. To decorate the garden original plants, decorative flax is suitable, the cultivation of such species, and there are more than 100 of them in total, is not an easy task, but doable.
A rich palette for a picturesque flower garden
Decorative linen will revive the flowerbed, mixborder, alpine slide, rockeries. Perennial herbaceous representatives and dwarf shrubs are popular, but annual species are no less beautiful.
You will not have to be limited only to the blue color, contrary to traditional ideas, flax can surprise with stunning colors. Loved by many gardeners, red flax blooms in early summer and pleases with scarlet inflorescences until September. Alpine and Austrian species are low, 30-40 centimeters, bloom blue. There is also a very unusual yellow flax, golden accents are good in composition with other plants.
Narbonne linen looks gorgeous, the beauty of the original bright blue inflorescences is emphasized by the snow-white center. This species branches and blooms in July-August. There are species with white, pink and purple inflorescences.
Growing features
For those wishing to plant decorative flax, cultivation can be complicated by climatic conditions. It is very thermophilic and needs bright sun, the site should not be shaded by trees and buildings.
Therefore, residents of regions where cloudy summers do not please with warmth, and cold nights, it is better to refuse to cultivate this plant. The simplest and most common way of flax propagation is by seeds. This procedure is not accompanied by any difficulties, they are simply placed in the soil, always in a warm place.
After the seedlings get a little stronger, the seedlings are moved to open ground. The land should be with sufficient drainage and humus, it is advisable to make organic fertilizers The optimal time for landing on a permanent site is May-July, depending on weather conditions.
If the climate permits, you can sow seeds directly into the ground without growing seedlings. But in this case, one should not rush, a thermophilic plant may not endure the night cold and die.
The minimum distance between seedlings is about 5 centimeters. As already mentioned, flax loves the sun and grows poorly in the shade, this is important to consider when choosing a place. The perennial plant will bloom only in the second year, but if you plant in early spring (provided that it is already warm enough), you can expect flowering in summer and enjoy the sight of graceful flowers until autumn.
How to care for decorative flax
If the summer is not too dry, flax can be watered about once a week. In the fall, the plant does not need watering at all; it should dry out naturally.
It is enough just to cut the flower shoots. For flax, fertilizing with fertilizers is very important, you can use liquid fertilizers, enriching the soil with them when watering. Total number such "nutritional procedures" - 2-3 times throughout the season. Weeding is an obligatory requirement, weeds do not have the best effect on cultivation.
Pests such as the flax flea are also dangerous. Traditional methods the fight is not always effective, but the chemicals successfully deal with the problem. Unfortunately, charming flax is not very durable, however, this does not prevent it from remaining a favorite in modern flower gardens.
Perennial species are quite hygrophilous, but they tolerate cold well. Flax in decorative gardening is beautifully combined with other annuals in group compositions, rock gardens, flower walls, mixed borders. An ideal choice for decorating Moorish lawns with cornflowers, daisies, marigolds and meadow clover. In addition, flax is also useful, according to experts, the seeds have a healing and even rejuvenating effect.
Large-flowered flax: cultivation
26.10.2014 |
Large-flowered flax in decorative floriculture is grown quite recently. His homeland is South America, this perennial was brought to our country intact and is slowly gaining popularity.
The first thing that attracts lovers of home decor is the bright color scheme: from pale pink to bright blue colors. The plant itself is low, up to 60 cm in length, the buds are small, they live for several days, but there are so many of them that you cannot call their flowering other than a carpet.
Large-flowered flax care
Linen, planted separately, looks like bright caps against the green background of the lawn, it gives the site some airiness. Since flax flowers are small, from a distance they merge into one tone and look fabulously beautiful.
It is for this that flower growers began to grow overseas large-flowered flax. Some flowers are quickly replaced by others, flax blooms for a very long time, from April to October, this is another plus in favor of the plant. The most popular of the frost-resistant varieties in our area is "Heavenly Azure", the main feature of which is that blue flowers open only in sunny weather. Flax grows in one place for 4-5 years, is not picky about the soil, it does not need regular feeding and watering. You will see when the bushes need a transplant: the leaves will become smaller, and the flowering will almost stop.
How to plant large-flowered flax
For the flowering to be constant, you need to choose a well-lit area for the plant, a little on an elevation, so that water does not stagnate on the roots. Growing large-flowered flax can be carried out by seed or seedlings.
If you want to get flowers in the first year, you need to take care of early (March - early April) planting seeds in a greenhouse or in pots on the windowsill. Seeds are also planted in open ground, sprouts appear after 2 weeks, if the air temperature fluctuates from 12 to 17 ° C.
How is flax transplant going? Since the plant bushes and blooms all summer and autumn, it is transplanted by separating a part from the bush. The root system quickly recovers, and fresh soil mixed with compost can be poured at the site of damage to continue flowering.
The part, which was separated together with a lump of soil, is dropped into a pre-prepared hole 40-50 cm deep, sprinkled with earth on top and watered a little with water with phosphorus-nitrogen fertilizers. Flax is not afraid of transplanting, so feel free to get down to business! How designers use flax flowers
- Large-flowered flax looks great in cut bouquets; it does not fade from 5 to 7 days. When fully ripe, decorative flax gives boxes of golden color, if at this time the plant is cut and dried, you get a wonderful bouquet that looks unusual and is stored for a long time.Landscape designers, knowing all the unpretentiousness of this plant, usually plant it in flower beds to give them additional brightness. For example, flowers in blue, purple and blue are perfectly combined. To make flax bloom for 6 months, you can use a little trick, namely: plant seeds every two weeks in a fresh place.
Together with the article "Large-flowered flax: cultivation" they also read:
Flax (Linum) is a pretty herbaceous plant 35-60 cm high with slender, thin but strong stems and small flowers of light blue, white or pink-red color. Under natural conditions, flax grows in the mountainous regions of China, India, and the Mediterranean.
It is widely cultivated in the temperate zone. North Africa, North America, as well as Europe and Asia. Large-flowered flax. © Hatem moushirIn ornamental floriculture, the most popular was the large-flowered red flax (Linum grandiflorum) - a spectacular bushy annual 45-50 cm high, 15-20 cm wide. A plant with narrow light green leaves and rather large (up to 3.5 cm) saucer-shaped five-petalled flowers of red color.
Flowers do not live long. In the morning they bloom, and in the evening their satin petals fall off. They are replaced by many new buds, and wild flowering continues until October. Flax fits perfectly into the Moorish lawn, in perfect harmony with many drought-resistant and sun-loving crops, for example, cornflowers.
It is good in mixed mixborders, and rustic front gardens, and in modern garden compositions, and in bouquets. For this, the flower in the bud phase is pulled out of the ground along with the root. The root is cut off and the plant is placed in a vase.
Such a bouquet retains its freshness for 3-5 days. © Magnus Manske Decorative linen is beautiful and unpretentious. Prefers sunny places, easily tolerates drought and light frosts. Not picky about the composition of the soil.
It can grow fully on any garden soil, but only without obvious stagnation of moisture. Before planting, the soil is well dug up, adding to the square. meter 3-4 kg of well-rotted compost and a tablespoon of potassium sulfate, superphosphate, as well as an excellent fertilizer for flowering "Agricola".
After that, the soil is well leveled with a rake, watered abundantly and sowed. The soil in the bed where flax is planted should be in a state of constant moisture. So that the plants do not fall apart in different directions, they are planted in a dense group.
Flax can also be planted among white daisies, you get a very useful and elegant combination. For long and abundant flowering Regular watering, timely weeding and loosening is necessary. Large-flowered red flax propagates by seeds, which in mid-spring are sown directly into the ground at the planned place. For earlier flowering, seeds can be sown before winter.
Hello, dear friends! Perennial flax is a plant with thin strong stems, 35 to 60 centimeters in height with sky-blue, pink-red or white small flowers. The most popular in ornamental gardening received large-flowered flax - beautiful plant with five petal flowers up to 3.5 centimeters in diameter and narrow leaves.
The petals of the flowers fall off rather quickly, but, despite this, other, new ones bloom instead, so the flowering of flax begins in June and continues right up to the end of September. Flowers blooming throughout the day wither in the evening and fall off, but there are always new flower buds on the way. A group of these plants looks very beautiful in full bloom.
This spectacle, perhaps, can only be compared with the summer blue sky. I especially like the variety "Heavenly Azure" - the plant of this variety is cold-resistant. It grows in one place of the site for 4 - 5 years. Looks great on rocky hills and flower beds.
Blooms profusely. Sky blue flowers only open in sunny weather. The bush reaches a height of 60 centimeters. Seeds sown at 17 - 20 degrees sprout about 13 - 18 days. Growing large-flowered flax Flax is unpretentious, cold-hardy and photophilous.
Tolerates small frosts. Prefers sunny areas, grows on any garden, poor soils without obvious stagnation of water. Before planting flax, the soil should be dug up, and then add one square meter to three to four kilograms of humus or compost and one tablespoon of the wonderful fertilizer Agricola for flowering plants "," Superphosphate "and" Potassium sulfate ".
All these fertilizers need to be raked into the ground and this area should be well spilled with water. After that, you can start sowing or planting. The soil should be kept in a state of moderate moisture.
To prevent flax bushes from tilting to the side, the plants are planted in a group, denser, or in the middle of other suitable flowering plants. This can be, for example, flowering white daisies.
A very "smart" combination! large-flowered flax withstands transplanting well. Linen looks nice in bouquets. To do this, the plant, together with the root, must be pulled out in the bud phase, then the roots must be cut off and immediately put into water.
The bouquet will last for several days. Flax is propagated by seeds. They are sown in the ground during the summer period, and from the first days of June, next year, flax begins to bloom. The flowering of the plant continues until the end of September.
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A gardener, choosing flowers for growing in the garden, often undeservedly bypasses perennial flax. The fact is that this flower has long been considered an excellent decoration for the house, which, moreover, will be able to protect it. This culture is distinguished by its unpretentiousness, but at the same time it has a relatively high decorative effect, since it has a very beautiful flowers... There is an opinion that the flowers of this plant must necessarily be colored blue, but this is far from the case.
Perennial Blue Flax Description
Flax is a herbaceous plant. This genus unites about 200 of the most diverse species. Often, flax is not very large bushes, the height of which does not exceed 50 centimeters. Despite the fact that the shoots of such a culture are very thin, they are comparatively powerful. The flowers are of various sizes (from very large to small). They can be painted white, bluish or red-pink.
This plant is widely cultivated by gardeners. middle lane... It feels great in a temperate climate, so it can be found in nature in Africa, North America, and also in some regions of Asia and Europe.
Types and varieties of flax
Among all known species and varieties of flax, the most popular among gardeners are the following:
- Oilseed... This decorative variety is very often cultivated indoors. Most often, such a plant is grown in order to obtain flax seeds, which are distinguished by their high nutritional value, as well as medicinal properties. As a rule, the bush does not exceed 0.3 meters in height. The flowers are not very large. They can be colored yellow, bluish, or even red.
- Decorative. This kind it is distinguished by its unpretentiousness, so even a person far from gardening can grow it. In addition, you should be aware that a durable fabric is made from various decorative varieties of flax, which is used for sewing clothes, linen, etc.
- Large-flowered... This variety of flax has been grown in mid-latitudes not so long ago. But in this short time, he managed to become one of the most popular varieties among gardeners. The height of a medium-sized bush, as a rule, does not exceed 50 centimeters. The flowers of this variety have a very large size, and they can be painted in a variety of color shades... Such a plant is perennial, if it is provided with favorable conditions for growth, then without transplanting in the same place it can be grown for five years.
- Perennial flax... This variety, in comparison with the rest, is the most widespread. Very attractive bushes of such flax are used to decorate borders, flower walls, etc.
Planting flax in open ground
Flax is not very demanding on growing conditions, which greatly facilitates the choice of a suitable place for planting it. However, if you want it to grow and develop within normal limits, then for planting, choose an exclusively open sunny area, on which no shadow should fall either from shrubs with trees or from various buildings. If there are very few sunny days in your area, then you are unlikely to be able to grow perennial flax.
Also, this plant is undemanding to the composition of the soil. It can be grown in almost any soil except swampy soil. For planting, choose an area with light soil where groundwater lie relatively deep. Perennial flax can be grown quite successfully on slightly steep slopes.
Sowing seeds of perennial flax varieties is recommended to be carried out in boxes at home. If you live in a region with a relatively mild and warm climate, then you can sow seeds in open soil. It is not recommended to bury them in the ground. Seeds are evenly distributed over the surface of a previously prepared area, and then the crops are moistened with water from a sprinkler. It is possible to sow seeds in open soil in spring (when the weather is warm and the daytime temperature will be about 20 degrees) and in autumn time(you need to catch it before the cold weather, while the average daily air temperature should be at least twenty degrees).
If you are planning to sow perennial flax in open soil, do not forget to take the cold factor into account. Sowing is strictly prohibited on a rainy or damp day. The area with crops must be covered with a not very thick layer of soil, then they are insulated in the same way as most garden flowers.
Flax propagation
There are several ways that flax can be propagated quite successfully. They will be described in more detail below.
Generative (seed) way
You can grow such a flower from seeds in containers. And you can sow seeds directly into open soil, such sowing is carried out in spring or autumn (before winter) time. All you need to do is spread the seeds evenly over the surface of the soil, and then they are simply sprayed with a spray bottle. They should not be buried in the ground. It is possible to sow perennial flax seeds into the soil, if necessary, in the summer.
If you decide to sow seeds in containers, then you should know that grown seedlings cannot be transplanted into open ground, because they get very sick after such a procedure and often die. When the seeds have been sown, the containers are immediately thereafter transferred to fresh air.
Dividing the bush
If you grow two-year-old flax on your site, then it can be propagated by dividing the bush. In the middle spring period or in August, after the plant has faded, the bush is divided into several parts. The plots should be planted immediately in open soil, keeping a distance of 0.2 m between them. They should be watered regularly and often enough, as well as protected from direct sunlight.
Blue flax care
If you want the flax flowering to be as effective as possible, and he himself grows and develops normally, he will need to provide good, proper care. The features of caring for perennial flax will be described in detail below.
For normal growth and development, such a flower needs a sufficient amount of water. In this regard, it must be watered systematically. However, make sure that there is no stagnation of water in the soil.
Please note that flax reacts extremely negatively to liquid stagnation in the soil. Depending on the air temperature and rainfall, flax is watered on average 1 or 2 times every 7 days. It is important that the soil under the bushes is slightly moist at all times. After the fall begins, watering is gradually reduced, and then they must be stopped altogether.
It is also necessary to weed in a timely manner, since the thickening of the planting and weeds negatively affect the decorativeness of flax.
Often you will not have to feed perennial flax, which greatly facilitates caring for it. Before proceeding with sowing seeds in open soil, it is necessary to add not a very large amount of organic matter to it, and also add a little potash fertilizer. During the growing season, it is recommended to feed flax at least two more times, while using liquid dressings. It is recommended to feed such flowers only after they have been watered.
The gardener does not have to deal with a bunch of diseases and pests, because flax has a fairly high resistance to them. However, in some cases, a flax flea can settle on the bushes. If you decide to fight it with various folk methods, then keep in mind that they will all be ineffective. Therefore, without wasting time, process the infected bushes with specially designed chemicals.
In order for such a very beautiful and rather unusual flower to grow normally in your garden, as well as to ensure the most spectacular flowering, it should be planted next to only those plants that have a very similar development pattern, and also need the same growing conditions. ...
Linen in landscape design
Perennial blue flax is quite popular among gardeners. Such a flower is recommended for use in a variety of group compositions, for example: in mixborders, rock gardens, flower beds, and also in very picturesque borders.
It has been noticed that flax goes well with those crops that need a lot of sunlight and are distinguished by a fairly high drought tolerance. Perennial flax has excellent growth when planted on a Moorish lawn. It is recommended to plant it together with such beautiful flowers as marigolds, clover, chamomile and cornflowers.
Perennial blue flax certainly deserves attention from gardeners. Its advantage is that it is not too picky about growing conditions, it is relatively easy to care for, and this flower is also very beautiful.
Flax is a genus of plants in the Linaceae family. Annuals and perennials with whole leaves growing alternately or sometimes oppositely. Up to 200 types of crops are known, the most popular of which are: yellow flax, perennial blue, sowing, northern flax. Flax is a culture known for a long time, and used by representatives of various industries: for the creation of medicines, for obtaining threads, for livestock feed. Flax crops during flowering are like a slightly wavy lake, in which the azure sky is reflected.
Description of the plant
Flax is a herbaceous plant with a height of 1.5 meters. The crop is annual or perennial, but flax is harvested annually and then sown again. The leaves and stems of the plant are cylindrical, even, branched at the top. During the flowering of flax, flowers appear, the cup of which consists of three petals with snow-white edges, the crown consists of five cornflower-blue petals. The fruit is a box with five nests, each nest of which is divided into two more compartments, storing one seed each. Seeds are oily, oval, brown, with an amber stripe on the sides.
The medical and technical industries value flaxseed for its fatty linseed oil, which contains butyric linolenic acid.
You can read about the medicinal properties and contraindications of flax seeds in this article.
Although flax requires a lot of careful maintenance, many gardeners are happy to plant it in their front gardens. In the process of selection, flax became widespread in different climatic zones gradually progressing and improving their qualities. Mainly 2 subspecies of common flax are grown: long-stemmed flax with a high stem, low-branched inflorescence, and curly flax - lower, with a strong branched inflorescence. Also in the garden plots you can see red large-flowered flax, oilseed, Altai.
Flax is in demand in different areas human activities. Lovers of home cooking add fresh linseed oil to salads, vinaigrettes and dishes, without heat treatment. Flax seeds are added in the manufacture of various sweets. The food industry is proud of the creation of a protein concentrate with a huge content of essential amino acids, which has a high biological value, which is recommended for use as an additional source of proteins in the creation of food products from fat-free flaxseed meal.
The pharmaceutical industry uses mucus from flax seeds in drug preparation technology. In the process of creating medicines, flax mucus promotes high-quality binding of the components in tablets and accelerates the time of their disintegration. Refined linseed oil is the base for soft patches. Cosmetologists prepare nourishing masks with the addition of flax seeds, which soften, moisturize the skin of the face, make it elastic, and protect it from inflammation.
The technical industry obtains flax fibers from the stalks of fiber flax, which are used to create linen. Flax is grown to obtain technical oil, which serves as a raw material for the preparation of drying oil, varnishes, paints, linoleum, oilcloth, waterproof fabrics. It is used in soap making, rubber and paper industries. Waste from oil production is used for feed for farm animals, and the release of seeds from threshing. Lignified parts of the stems that did not go to fiber are waste when primary processing flax - contain 60% cellulose and are used in the manufacture of paper, cardboard, construction and thermal insulation boards, ethyl alcohol, acetone and other products.
Plant care: basic rules
If you reasonably organize all the stages of work on the care of flax, they will not be so difficult and tedious. The main thing is to create all the conditions for the plant to grow successfully, to provide appropriate care and attention, and the results will exceed the wildest expectations. Most of the garden plots come across problem types of soils that need regular agronomic measures to improve.
Soils containing a large amount of sand quickly warm up, have excellent ventilation, water permeability, due to their granular structure, which ensures high-quality respiration of plants. But sandy soils contain scarce nutrients. It is extremely important not to forget about proper soil fertilization. Sandy soils almost do not retain water; they dry out quickly due to their granular structure. Therefore, the pores formed between the sand particles must be filled.
The introduction of compost into the soil, which, in a mixture with mulching materials (for example, mowed lawn grass or other organic waste from a garden plot), is sprinkled with soil, mineral fertilizers, as well as drilling flour, can significantly improve the structure of the soil. Clay soils do not badly retain moisture, preventing it from quickly passing through the soil layers or eroding. Also, clay soils have a sufficient amount of mineral and nutrients that are poorly washed out of the soil. Weak spots clay soils: poor natural ventilation and water permeability, as the soil contains few cavities that can be filled with water or air. Clay soils do not warm up well, they can easily become compacted, which hinders the circulation of water and air, therefore, stagnant waterlogging of the soil often occurs, which causes rotting of plants.
The most important measure to improve the quality of clay soils is to give them a looser lumpy structure by adding sand, compost, mineral fertilizers... Loamy soil is ideal for growing garden plants. Loamy soil has a porous loose structure, which ensures its high thermal conductivity, water permeability, natural ventilation. It is rich in nutrients and minerals, which dissolve in water and easily go to plants. Flax grows well on moist, loose, loamy soils of medium density. It grows worse on sandy soils. Heavy clay and acidic soils are not suitable for growing flax.
Flax representatives are unpretentious, tolerate frost persistently, and are quite resistant to diseases and pests. In regions with severe winters, flax can be safely grown, which is why Russian flax is a traditional export product.
Flax is sown in spring, in April, sowing depth is up to 3 cm, soil temperature is 7C. Lowering the temperature will not harm the seeds, they are able to germinate at a temperature of 2C. The site for future planting is prepared in advance, humus is introduced. If sown in early spring, the seeds use the maximum amount of soil moisture, and the plants are less affected by diseases. Stagnant moisture is harmful to the plant, therefore drainage is necessary. The landing site is protected from strong winds.
Water the plant regularly, in moderation, the ground should always be moist. If you are not sure about the degree of soil moisture, then you should plow the soil a little in the irrigated areas. Experience has shown that watering should be limited in the spring as compared to the summer months. Plants are best watered early in the morning so they can dry out in the evening. Plants that are forced to stand wet for a long time at night are more susceptible to fungal diseases.
Rainwater is often used for irrigation. Rainwater softer than tap water, it heats up when left to stand, making it ideal water for irrigation. To reduce the amount harmful substances and dirt in rainwater, it should be collected in the drums intended for this, after cleaning the roof (this is especially important after a long dry period). This removes dirt and dust, significantly reducing the risk of water bloom. It is best to cover the barrels with something, because along with dirt and wind-blown foliage, larvae of various midges willingly settle in a barrel with rainwater, which can subsequently cause great harm.
In summer, the plant is watered every three days, the frequency of watering depends on the degree of aridity. In autumn, watering is canceled, the plant is allowed time to dry, after which the dry shoots are cut off. The culture is fed with complex mineral or organic fertilizers up to 3 times per season, by introducing them into the soil or by spraying. In winter, the curtain is covered with a layer of humus or compost.
To prevent thickening of plantings, dry peduncles are cut off, as flax is prone to self-sowing. Timely collection of dry wilted flowers accelerates plant renewal, prolongs the flowering period, makes it more luxurious and beautiful. Flax also needs regular weeding, the plant has a deep enough straight root, so you can not be afraid of touching it.
When the flax seeds are almost ripe, the plants are watered with special preparations. After half of the boxes become brown, they are cut off, then dried. After seven days, when the bolls rustle with seeds when shaken, they can be threshed. A small number of boxes are kneaded by hand, if there is a lot of raw materials, they are wrapped in a tarpaulin and threshed by tapping with a stick. Wet seeds are dried, excluding direct sunlight, in a ventilated area. After this procedure, the seeds are collected, scattered in the wind. The flowering of flax depends on the length of daylight hours, the longer the day, the sooner the flax will bloom. Too hot weather will reduce fiber and seed yields. At the same time, a small amount of light will cause a large number of small bolls with a tiny number of seeds to appear. Flax has a period of sensitivity to a decrease in light intensity, this is the time when pollen begins to form in the flowers of the inflorescence.
How does flax grow?
Flax is not very demanding on growing conditions, which greatly facilitates the choice of a suitable place for planting it. However, in order for it to grow and develop within the normal range, it is necessary to prepare an open sunny area for planting it, on which no shadow should fall either from shrubs with trees or from various buildings.
Flax prefers to grow on moist, loamy soils of medium density. The soil should be loose and allow water to pass through. Some time after planting, the plant begins to attract views, surprising how flax grows, cornflower blue, scarlet, mother-of-pearl flowers light up in different corners of the garden. Thanks to the varied color palette of shades of this plant, the backyard acquires a bright and original view, which prompts florists to plant flax on alpine hills, flower beds, flower beds.
Where does flax grow?
Plant growth is determined by various factors. These include, first of all, temperature, illumination, precipitation, harmful factors such as, for example, acid rain, toxic substances. Of great importance for the normal growth of plants are the composition of the soil, the availability and supply of nutrients. The composition of the soil is determined by mineral components such as sand, clay, as well as water and oxygen supplied to the roots.
For successful cultivation culture, you need to understand where flax grows best. Those who are focused on growing flax in their garden should take into account that this culture has a fairly developed root system, therefore, it must be planted in a separate spacious area. As a preventive measure for maintaining crops in a healthy state, their rotation, compliance with crop rotation throughout the year, as well as the choice of varieties are of great importance.
Curious admirers of flora know that flax should not be planted in a place where corn or other flax varieties were its predecessor - this reduces the yield indicator, it is better if melons or winter crops were planted earlier.
Diseases and pests
The main pests that annoy the culture are flax trips, butterflies, flax fleas; special preparations are used to combat them. It is almost impossible to completely abandon the application chemicals in the garden, in this regard, there are certain criteria. Agents allowed for use:
- should not be poisonous;
- should not pose a danger to bees;
- should not be used in protected water areas;
- must have a shelf life of no more than 21 days.
It is necessary to use chemical means of protection only if there is a threat of an invasion of pests. All instructions for use must be followed. Before using chemicals, determine the exact disease or pest. It should be noted that many gardeners and owners of small garden plots have already severely limited or even completely abandoned chemical remedies.
To reduce the occurrence of serious diseases, basic agronomic rules must be followed:
- Flax is grown on one site no more than once every 7 years;
- For sowing, use proven seeds;
- Fertilize the soil in accordance with the recommendations;
- Use selected varieties of flax that are disease resistant.
If an excess of nitrogen is formed in the soil, then this fact reduces the resistance to diseases. Lack of potassium worsens the quality of fibers, increases the development of diseases in plants. A sufficient content of zinc, boron, copper, manganese in the soil helps to fight diseases.
Planting and breeding
A simple and effective way to propagate flax is by seed. In the middle regions of Russia, flax cultivation begins with planting seeds in containers. Large-flowered flax, oilseed, undersized, and many others are grown from seeds. A warm, bright room will make it possible for seedlings to emerge in 20 days. If the climate permits, the stage of growing seedlings is skipped. Seedlings do not tolerate short-term night frosts, so they are waiting for stabilization temperature regime air and warming up the soil. May - July is the safest time.
The agrotechnical sequence of actions is as follows:
- Dig up the soil, lay drainage from rubble or sand. Optimum thickness layer 10 cm;
- Distribute the earth with humus from above;
- They bring in 1 tbsp. l. mineral dressings: superphosphate, potassium sulfate;
- The interval between the bushes is 5 cm.
It is advisable to plant the crop in groups, since lonely specimens lean to the ground without support. Dense bushes are planted: a part is broken off from the base with at least one developed kidney on it. Difficult shoots are dug up and cut, after which they are seated separately. Sometimes flower growers take the risk by planting seeds immediately in open ground before winter, to a depth of 2-3 cm. Perennial species bloom only the next year. If flax is planted in early spring in warm weather, it will bloom in summer.
In addition to growing flax from seeds, the method of propagation by cuttings is also used. The grafting process is carried out from April to August. Young and strong shoots with a length of at least 20 cm are separated from the central specimen and planted in the soil to the level of the first leaf. The top is cut by 5-7 cm. Cover the top with foil or glass. The stalk is planted in a permanent place in the fall or spring of the next year. Any breeding option is not bad, but, based on the experience of gardeners, more lush and showy plants grow from seeds. Perennial representatives of culture grow in one place for about 4 years. They do not tolerate a transplant, so it is better not to disturb them once again.
Sowing seeds in the ground
Before sowing seeds of sowing flax, the soil must be carefully leveled and rolled in. Six months before planting, flax seeds are pickled, after which in the spring, when the topsoil warms up, flax is sown. The earlier you plant flax, the earlier it will bloom. The best sowing depth of flax seeds is from 1.5 to 3 cm. Flax is sown in rows, the distance between rows is about 20 cm. During sowing, seeds are sprinkled rarely, at a distance of about 5 cm between plants, or more often, but with subsequent thinning. Alternative seeding randomly allows for a denser, more dense planting.
Flax usually comes up very amicably. Before planting, the soil is improved, be sure to add compost or other organic fertilizers to the soil. Young flax seedlings are sensitive and fragile, to prevent damage from cold or wind, they prepare shelter, protecting the plantings. Over time, the seedlings will get stronger, the plants will be invulnerable to adverse conditions.
Transfer
Flax flowers do not like transplants and do not tolerate them well. The transplant is ineffective, practically not used by flower growers.
The use of traditional medicine of flax seeds is very diverse. You can read about this in more detail in this article.
Application in landscape design
Landscaping masters have long and successfully used many types of flax in their work: perennial flax, long-lasting flax, large-flowered flax, yellow flax, decorative flax and many others. In the home garden, flax looks elegant and cozy, with group plantings of flax they decorate the borders. New Zealand flax growing near garden paths or stairs, will give the garden a solemn look and is ideal for creating a tropical or Spanish garden.
For fans of bouquets of wildflowers, linen placed in a vase is an amazing addition to the interior, capable of pleasing the eye for up to five days. Unlike other flowers, flax is not cut off to make a bouquet, but dug out from the roots. In the budding stage, they are placed in water, and soon they open. The best neighbors for flax will be wildflowers: chamomile, poppies, bells.
Every flora lover dreams of his own garden, where you can escape from the city noise and dust, where you can lovingly cultivate every plant with your own hands, waiting with trepidation for the fruits of your labor. Florists dream of creating their own corner of nature according to their taste, where everything will meet the desires and needs. If there is a desire to see something completely new, dissimilar, unusual on your site, flax is planted.
The annual is very popular among flower growers. large-flowered flax, and on my site it grows perennial flax... There are many varieties of such flax. Among them there is flax with red, blue and even yellow flowers. I like blue flax, it is very similar to fiber flax, from which, by the way, linseed oil and linen fabric are made.
The decorative form of flax has, though thin, but nevertheless strong erect stems, narrow leaves and amazing heavenly blue flowers in five petals, which open before lunch and only on a bright sunny day.
The petals fall off so quickly that a blue carpet will soon form under the plant. But every day more and more flowers are blooming, so that continuous flowering lasts from May to July.
Perennial flax - planting
Seeds of perennial flax varieties "Heavenly Blue bought a few years ago just out of curiosity: I wanted to add a little bit of blue to my many flower beds... I chose the brightest places for planting, since I read that flax loves the sun.
Digging up the soil in the spring, I brought in about 3-4 kg of compost, 1 tbsp each. a spoonful of potassium sulfate, superphosphate and Agricola fertilizer (for flowering plants). She leveled the earth with a rake and spilled it thoroughly. As soon as the soil warmed up to 20 ° C, I made small holes, put several seeds in each, covered it with garden soil and spilled water again. The first shoots appeared in two weeks. The seedlings grew by leaps and bounds, and very soon I was thinning them out. She left a distance of 20 cm between the seedlings. I planted the excess seedlings in a group more densely so that the bushes did not tilt to the side.
Perennial flax: care
Perennial flax prefers moist soil, so she regularly watered the plants. And one early summer morning, making a habitual detour of my flower kingdom, I happily noticed that my flax was blooming. It was a wonderful sight: beautiful blue flowers, collected in forked inflorescences, warmed by the sun's rays and caressed by a warm breeze, swayed slightly, as if they were greeting me. The sky itself seemed to descend to earth to attract rapt attention.
Now flax grows everywhere in my place, because it reproduces well by dividing the bush.
Perennial flax propagates by self-sowing. It happens that the place that a sprouted seed has chosen is prepared for completely different plants, and then I boldly transplant flax. He tolerates a transplant perfectly, and there is practically no care for him. It is not even necessary to tie it up, although it grows up to 60 cm in height.
The main thing is that the soil is fertile, watering is regular, and after flowering, do not forget to remove the inflorescences. In the fall, I cut off the plants completely, I do not cover them with anything, because flax is a cold-resistant crop. But all the same, every year it becomes more and more. So far, this does not really bother me, because there are plenty of people who want to have a piece of the sky on the site.
And I am happy to share the grown self-seeding with all relatives, friends and neighbors.
On a note:
If the summer is not too dry, flax can be watered about once a week. In the fall, the plant does not need watering at all; it should dry out naturally. It is enough just to cut off the flower shoots. For flax, fertilizing with fertilizers is very important; you can use liquid forms, enriching the soil with them when watering. The total number of nutritional procedures is 2-3 times during the season. Weeding is a must, because weeds do not have the best effect on the cultivation of flax.
Pests such as the flax flea are also dangerous. Traditional methods of struggle are not always effective, but chemicals successfully cope with the problem. Unfortunately, charming linen is not very durable, however, this does not prevent it from being a favorite in modern flower beds. Perennial species are quite hygrophilous, but they tolerate cold well. Flax in ornamental gardening is beautifully combined with other annuals in group compositions, rock gardens, flower walls, mixed borders. »Ideal for decorating Moorish lawns with cornflowers, daisies, marigolds and meadow clover.
Time to plant. That's right - the next one comes summer season and now is the time, if not to plant, then already have a plan of what should be planted on personal plot... Except any edible plants, we also want it to be beautiful. Slides, flower beds, rockeries ... there are so many things you can do with your own hands. Now in garden stores very big choice a variety of planting material: seedlings, seeds, bulbs, seedlings and so on, and literally everything you want to "drag" to your site. But will everything grow? Through trial and error (and a waste of money), what becomes the decoration of the garden is selected. My choice is usually based on the fact that the plant is not very demanding to care for; it is advisable not to be affected by all sorts of diseases and pests; it was winter hardy; would not require seasonal digging for winter storage under certain conditions. So I will try to tell you about some of these inhabitants of my garden, maybe this will help someone make their choice.
Flax perennial blue
I'll start with a simple Russian flower - Blue flax (Latin name Linum perenne). The blue flax fields are familiar to many who, at least once in their childhood, traveled to distant Russian or Belarusian villages in the summer. This is the so-called fiber flax, from which linseed oil is made and one of the best and most durable fabrics is produced - linseed. In ornamental gardening, a similar plant shape is used, which is also grown as a perennial.
Blue perennial flax flowers
Blue flax is a perennial herb up to 50-60 cm high. Shoots are woody and thin. Flowers from pale blue to almost blue, collected in brushes, open on sunny days and fall off in the evening, but others open to replace them the next morning. Almost continuous flowering - with good sunny weather from mid-May to mid-October. The duration of flowering is influenced by the sun, regular watering, cleaning weeds, removing the formed seed bolls. The greatest effect is achieved when flax is planted in a large group: then a kind of blue bouquet is obtained, which has an extraordinary decorative effect.
Flax blue at the beginning of flowering
Flax is planted in April-May with seeds in an open, sunny place. The soil does not have to be fertile, but it is still better to refine it first. Linen is not whimsical and does not require special care... Perennial flax blooms profusely in the second year after sowing, in the first year it also gives flowers, but very few in number. Lifetime? It all depends on the climatic conditions: if it freezes or gets too wet, it will die in the second year, and if everything is normal, it will bloom for five years in one place by itself renewing itself through self-seeding. Flax bushes for the second year can be divided and planted. The transplant tolerates well, just the first time you need good watering and some shading. Before winter, faded shoots are cut off (can be used as a decorative bouquet of dried flowers if there are seed pods), no shelter is required, but if there is a forecast of a severe frosty winter, then you can put several branches of spruce branches on top.
Several colors of red linen in a flower garden
Blue perennial flax is planted in rock gardens, in rocky areas among stunted perennials. There are several other types of flax, the seeds of which can now be bought in stores. This is an annual flax in red, pink and white. There is also a variety of white and red flax. Seeds are also planted in April-May, these varieties bloom in the year of planting, the flowering is not as abundant as that of blue flax, and the whole plant dies in the fall. They also do not require much care and are also decorative. It can be used as a bright detail to add brightness and color to the flower garden.
Natural fabrics appeared on the shelves of our stores thanks to ordinary flax, which is recognizable by its delicate blue inflorescences. To decorate the garden with original plants, decorative flax is suitable, the cultivation of such species, and there are more than 100 of them, is not an easy task, but doable.
A rich palette for a picturesque flower garden
Decorative flax will revive a flower bed, mixborder, alpine slide,. Perennial herbaceous representatives and dwarf shrubs are popular, but annual species are no less beautiful. You will not have to be limited only to blue, contrary to traditional ideas, flax can surprise with stunning colors.
Red flax, loved by many gardeners, blooms in early summer and pleases with scarlet inflorescences until September. Alpine and Austrian species are low, 30-40 centimeters, bloom blue.
There is also a very unusual yellow linen, golden accents are good in composition with other plants. Narbonne linen looks gorgeous, the beauty of the original bright blue inflorescences is emphasized by the snow-white center. This species branches and blooms in July-August. There are species with white, pink and purple inflorescences.
Growing features
For those wishing to plant decorative flax, cultivation can be complicated by climatic conditions. It is very thermophilic and needs bright sun, the site should not be shaded by trees and buildings. Therefore, residents of regions where cloudy summer does not please with warmth, and cold nights, it is better to refuse to cultivate this plant.
The simplest and most common way to propagate flax is by seed. This procedure is not accompanied by any difficulties, they are simply placed in the soil, always in a warm place. After the seedlings get a little stronger, the seedlings are moved to open ground. The land should be with sufficient drainage and humus, it is advisable to add.
The optimal time for landing on a permanent site is considered May-July, depending on weather conditions. If the climate permits, you can sow seeds directly into the ground without growing seedlings. But in this case, one should not rush, a thermophilic plant may not endure the night cold and die. The minimum distance between seedlings is about 5 centimeters.
As already mentioned, flax loves the sun and grows poorly in the shade, this is important to consider when choosing a place. The perennial plant will bloom only in the second year, but if you plant in early spring (provided that it is already warm enough), you can expect flowering in summer and enjoy the sight of graceful flowers until autumn.
How to care for decorative flax
If the summer is not too dry, flax can be watered about once a week. In the fall, the plant does not need watering at all; it should dry out naturally. It is enough just to cut off the flower shoots.
For flax, fertilizing with fertilizers is very important; liquid fertilizers can be used, enriching the soil with them when watering. The total number of such "nutritional procedures" is 2-3 times during the season.
Weeding is a prerequisite; weeds do not have the best effect on cultivation. Pests such as the flax flea are also dangerous. Traditional methods of control are not always effective, but chemicals successfully cope with the problem.
Unfortunately, charming linen is not very durable, however, this does not prevent it from being a favorite in modern flower beds. Perennial species are quite hygrophilous, but they tolerate cold well.
Flax in ornamental gardening is beautifully combined with other annuals in group compositions, flower walls, mixed borders. The ideal choice for decorating Moorish lawns with