Wild Blue Flax, or Lewis Flax (Linum lewisii), is native to North America and can be found in a variety of habitats across the western United States and western Canada. It occurs in dry grasslands, prairies, sagebrush steppes, and open woodlands. The sky-blue, five-petaled flowers sway soothingly in the breeze on their slender, erect stems with narrow, alternate leaves, giving it a graceful and deceptively fragile appearance. Blue Flax is drought-tolerant and adapted to thrive in dry, well-drained soils, making it equally suitable for xeriscaping projects, water-wise gardens, and pollinator meadows.
 
Blue Flax typically blooms from late spring to early summer, with its peak flowering period occurring in May and June. The delicate flowers open early in the morning and close by midday, creating a captivating display. The blooming period often lasts for several weeks, attracting a wide range of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. Blue Flax also serves as a larval host plant for the Variegated Fritillary butterfly (Euptoieta claudia). Blue Flax has been valued by Native peoples across North America as a source of food and textiles for millennia, and has been used in the crafting of tools ranging from fishing nets and baskets to snowshoes. Blue Flax also contains medicinal properties, and was used for a variety of treatments.
 
Blue Flax thrives in well-drained, sandy, or gravelly soils and can tolerate a wide range of soil pH levels. It is adapted to dry conditions and is often found in areas with low rainfall. To germinate, the seeds of Blue Flax require a period of cold stratification. Sow the seeds in fall or early spring, lightly covering with soil. Once established, the plant is low-maintenance and requires no additional water or fertilizer.