Scarlet Flax

Native to North Africa, Scarlet Flax has naturalized in Colorado and Utah and a handful of other states.  It can thrive in full sun to partial shade and does best in medium to medium-coarse textured soil.  It tolerates somewhat saline or alkaline soils.  Its pretty bright red flowers with dark centers and edges attract both bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.  Scarlet Flax ranges from 12 to 36 inches tall depending on available moisture and nutrients.  Although the plants will bloom from spring to fall, individual blossoms last only one day with new ones emerging the next day.  Seeds should be planted 1/8 inch deep and the seeds and young plants should be kept moist until the roots are well established.  Scarlet Flax is easy to grow, makes good cut flowers, and, while it is an annual flower, will potentially reseed itself on bare soil.