This wildf flower is a hardyannual, native to northern Africa and Southern Europe, it has naturalized throughout the United States. Once established this variety can tolerate immense heat and extremely dry conditions. Scarlet Flax nevertheless has its heat limits & will want a bit of watering at the height of summer. Seedlings need moderate watering to get started, although for us, our spring rainfalls are usually sufficient. The glossy, deep scarlet flowers bloom in profusion and are best admired if planted in density. Prefers full sun in well-drained soils. Best if wild flower seed is sown in early spring after the danger of frost has passed as seedlings are not winter hardy. Guaranteed to draw some attention.
Flax wildflower seeds glisten because of their high oil content, flax being the source of linseed oil with which linoleum is manufactured. L. usitatissum is the species grown commercially for linseed oil, but it can also be obtainted from L. grandiflorum & other flaxes.