Linum grandiflorum

Scarlet flax — a dazzling hardy annual with slender stems carrying a long succession of large, satiny deep-red flowers above fine, blue-green foliage.
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  • Flax Bright Eyes seeds (Linum grandiflorum) – annual flower Flax Bright Eyes (Linum grandiflorum) – annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    Flax Bright Eyes Seeds Linum Grandiflorum Annual Flower
    €4,45

    Flax Bright Eyes for vivid borders flax bright eyes seeds are an annual flower choice valued for their airy habit and eye-catching blooms. This variety is known for maroon centered flowers that stand out clearly...
  • Scarlet Flax seeds (Linum grandiflorum) – annual flower Scarlet Flax (Linum grandiflorum) – annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    Scarlet Flax Seeds Linum Grandiflorum Annual Flower
    €4,45

    Scarlet annual flowers for bold garden colour scarlet flax seeds produce a light, airy annual display with vivid red blooms that looks especially striking when planted in generous drifts. This classic annual flax flower is...
  • Scarlett Flax seeds (Linum grandiflorum) – organic annual flower Scarlett Flax (Linum grandiflorum) – organic annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    Scarlett Flax Seeds Organic Linum Grandiflorum Annual Flower
    €4,95

    Organic annual flower with vivid red blooms scarlett flax seeds are an organic flower seed choice for gardeners who want a light, airy display of bright red blossoms in borders, beds, and naturalistic plantings. This...
  • Scarlet Flax seeds (Linum grandiflorum) – annual Scarlet Flax (Linum grandiflorum) – annual seeds from SeedsChoice
    Scarlet Flax Seeds Linum Grandiflorum Annual
    €4,45

    Scarlet annual flax with vivid red blooms scarlet flax seeds are a popular choice for gardeners who want bright, airy color in beds and borders. This annual flower forms slender stems topped with eye-catching red...
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Linum grandiflorum — scarlet flax

Linum grandiflorum is the botanical name for scarlet flax, a dazzling hardy annual whose slender, branching stems carry a long succession of large, satiny, deep-red flowers, each opening afresh above fine, blue-green foliage. It is the species behind our ornamental flax range within the flower seed collection.

History & origin

Native to North Africa, particularly Algeria, scarlet flax is the showiest ornamental relative of the flax grown for fibre and linseed. Its vivid colour and effortless nature made it a favourite for cottage borders and informal meadow plantings across Europe.

The genus name Linum is the classical Latin for flax — the same plant that gives us linen — while grandiflorum means large-flowered, distinguishing it from its smaller-bloomed cousins.

Botanical characteristics

A slim, upright annual reaching around 40-50 cm, it produces a continuous display of shallow, five-petalled flowers up to 4 cm across, each lasting a day but quickly replaced. Light and airy, it weaves beautifully through informal plantings and our wildflowers, while its tolerance of poor, dry ground places it among our drought-tolerant flowers.

Growing Linum grandiflorum from seed

Best sown direct where it is to flower, scattered thinly on raked soil in full sun from spring once the ground warms. It resents transplanting, so thin rather than move seedlings; a second sowing extends the display, as each plant flowers quickly but briefly. Our flower growing guide and flower sowing calendar cover the timing.

Ready to grow scarlet flax? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Flax (Linum) · Wildflowers · Annual Flowers · Drought-Tolerant Flowers · All Flower Seeds

At SeedsChoice, every order ships from Meppel, NL with fast, tracked EU delivery.

What is Linum grandiflorum?
It is the botanical name for scarlet flax, the showiest ornamental flax, grown for its large, satiny red flowers on airy stems. Should I sow it direct or transplant?
Sow direct where it is to flower — scarlet flax resents root disturbance, so thin the seedlings rather than moving them. How long does each plant flower?
Each plant flowers quickly but fairly briefly, so sow a second batch a few weeks later to keep the display going through summer. Does it tolerate dry soil?
Yes — it thrives in light, free-draining ground and copes well with dry conditions, ideal for low-water and meadow plantings.