Native flax

A slender perennial herb; stems studded with sky blue flowers in spring and early summer.  Looks beautiful when mass planted throughout a grassland garden, both when flowering and when the papery seedpods linger through summer.

Naturally found growing in grasslands and open forest. A valuable plant in the garden for a diversity of pollinating insects. Will readily seed out in garden beds and along footpaths. Overly dense stands seem to get infected with a rust fungus (Ian Higgins, pers. comm.). Pruning will encourage density and vigorous growth. Similar to its exotic relative, Flax or Linseed (Linum usitatissimum), seeds can be eaten and stems can be used for making thread.