Linum /Flax

Are any of you wearing linen on this warm day? Did you know linen is made from the stems of these beautiful plants? Different linens are made from different flaxes and they produce varying yields. I have bought the seeds for my Linum / Flax from my favourite go-to seed company Premier Seeds Direct Limited.

I like their no fuss packaging, & QR code on the label that takes you to their website to all of the relevant information regarding sowing instructions etc. Pollinators: bees, butterflies & insects alike all love their flax!

To make linen, the flax is picked, then retted (left in water) to break down the natural pectin that binds the fibres to the stems. After retting, the flax is dried and once dry, the woody outer layer of stem can be broken off to release the fibres, a blunt wood knife is sometimes used and then the fibres are combed using a metal comb to separate long, fine fibres (line) from short, coarser fibres (tow). The long fibres are then spun into yarn before being woven into the linen. Will you look at a flax plant or your linen bedsheets the same?

I love my perennial Linum Perenne Blue Flax, I like the form, you can direct sow it, (it doesn’t appreciate being moved) when sown in a small clump it sprays out like a waterfall, the flowers are profuse: a beautiful sky blue that fade to a violet. Just look at the fine detail on those petals, those delicate magenta veins becoming more intense & yelling ‘You’re getting warmer!’ to each and every pollinator!

Linum Bright Eyes is an annual I usually grow but I haven’t this year, as I’m currently changing my black & white area. The annual has elegant white blooms with a striking dark burgundy eye (which is the colour of many of my black flowers in the b&w area).

I llove the intensity of the true red of the annual Linum Grandiflorum Rubrum Scarlet Flax. Again it is a no fuss, direct sow easy to grow hardy garden annual which delivers a fantastic display of stunning brilliant blood red flowers. Mine usually open just as the perennials are finishing, & talking of opening, that is another reason why I love the Linum, they evoke that first memory, the opening and closing of blooms that I mentioned in an earlier post.

Nostalgia and fresh air do seem to go hand in hand which is why we all feel so much better in the garden; it’s why doctors are now prescribing gardening, as well as hospitals including gardens as part of recovery & hospices providing people with peace. Have you noticed an improvement in your well being when you’re outside?

@just.me.in.my.garden