Linum arboreum

RHS Plant Profile
evergreen flax

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evergreen flax Dorling Kindersley 2003

Other common names

tree flax

Award of Garden Merit
Shrubs Alpine Rockery

A compact evergreen shrub to 50cm in height and width, with small, blue-green leaves and bright yellow flowers to 3cm in width, in loose terminal clusters

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Linaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Linum can be annuals, biennials evergreen or herbaceous perennials or shrubs, with clusters of funnel-shaped flowers over a long period in spring or summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S Aegean

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, very well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from winter wet

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or autumn. Propagate by removing offsets in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Gravel garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails and aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free