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An armload of Flax Bubble Grass
An armload of Flax Bubble Grass
Flax Bubble Grass growing in the field
A close up of Flax Bubble Grass
A close up of Flax Bubble Grass
A bunch of Flax Bubble Grass
A handful of Flax Bubble Grass

Flax ‘Bubble Grass’

Linum usitatissimum

Features

  • Dryable
  • Easy to grow
  • Foliage & Filler
  • One-hit wonder

Description

We’ve been growing flax (which we call bubble grass) for many years now, and I’m still head-over-heels in love with it. Its delicate, wandlike stems almost dance in bouquets. Stems are smothered in miniature periwinkle blue forget-me-not-like flowers. Though the flowers are adorable, they are short-lived, and as soon as petals drop, they leave behind small, glowing green beads. Flax makes a great textural addition to bouquets, can be used fresh or dried, and turns gold as it ages.

Details

Plant type: annual
Height: 36 to 40 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 50 to 60 days
Plant spacing: 6 in
Pinch: do not pinch

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Plants are very fast to flower, blooming in less than 2 months. If starting in trays, sow multiple seeds per cell or direct-seed into the garden. Don’t pinch plants.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest after flowers drop their petals and leave behind their seedpods. Expect a vase life of 10 days. Over time, the green pods fade to gold and can be dried. To dry, hang freshly cut stems upside down in a warm, dark place for 2 to 3 weeks or until they are firm to the touch.

Details

Description

We’ve been growing flax (which we call bubble grass) for many years now, and I’m still head-over-heels in love with it. Its delicate, wandlike stems almost dance in bouquets. Stems are smothered in miniature periwinkle blue forget-me-not-like flowers. Though the flowers are adorable, they are short-lived, and as soon as petals drop, they leave behind small, glowing green beads. Flax makes a great textural addition to bouquets, can be used fresh or dried, and turns gold as it ages.

Details

Plant type: annual
Height: 36 to 40 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 50 to 60 days
Plant spacing: 6 in
Pinch: do not pinch

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Plants are very fast to flower, blooming in less than 2 months. If starting in trays, sow multiple seeds per cell or direct-seed into the garden. Don’t pinch plants.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest after flowers drop their petals and leave behind their seedpods. Expect a vase life of 10 days. Over time, the green pods fade to gold and can be dried. To dry, hang freshly cut stems upside down in a warm, dark place for 2 to 3 weeks or until they are firm to the touch.

Sources

How to Grow

How to Grow

Fabulous Foliages and Fillers
Fabulous Foliages and Fillers

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Easy-to-grow Hardy Annuals
Easy-to-grow Hardy Annuals

Hardy annuals are some of the hardest-working, most productive plants in the late spring/early summer cutting garden. They are the first annuals to bloom in the spring, and their ability to withstand cold temperatures, thrive with minimal care, and produce abundantly for weeks from a single sowing make them an indispensable addition to the cut flower garden.
Grasses, Grains, and Pods
Grasses, Grains, and Pods

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Discovering Dried Flowers
Discovering Dried Flowers

Many cut flower varieties can be used either fresh or dried. Drying flowers means you can preserve the abundance from your garden to be enjoyed later when nothing is blooming. There are so many ways to use dried flowers, seed pods, and grasses: in late autumn arrangements, adorning fresh holiday wreaths, or even mixed with fresh blooms.
Fabulous Foliages and Fillers
Fabulous Foliages and Fillers
Easy-to-grow Hardy Annuals
Easy-to-grow Hardy Annuals
Grasses, Grains, and Pods
Grasses, Grains, and Pods
Discovering Dried Flowers
Discovering Dried Flowers

Summer Mini Course

Learn how to grow, harvest & arrange beautiful cut flowers

In our upcoming three-part video series, you’ll learn a simple step to double the number of blooms your plants produce, how to cut and care for your flowers for the longest vase life, and how to make mixed bouquets quickly and efficiently.