Appar Blue Flax (Linum)

Appar is a named selection of Linum perenne, distinct from native North American Lewis flax, Linum lewisii. A USDA Forest Service study describes its intense blue flowers and upright leaves, and research resolved its place with European perennial flax.\n\n## Garden Use\nAppar’s bright flowers and easy establishment suit sunny beds, dry borders, and meadow-style plantings. The Forest Service reports that it produces abundant flowers and seed and is useful in xeriscape plantings; it also found that the selection is not invasive and does not threaten native flax populations. Keep the label with the plant because Appar was initially released under a different species name before taxonomic study placed it in L. perenne.\n\n## Growing Conditions\nGive it full sun to light shade and well-drained soil. North Carolina Extension describes perennial flax as tolerant of dry or rocky soil and cautions that heavy clay can cause shallow rooting. See the [Forest Service account of Appar](https://research.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/30681) and [NC State’s perennial-flax guide](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/linum-perenne/common-name/perennial-flax/).\n\n## Maintenance\nWater young plants while they establish, then avoid keeping the soil saturated. After flowering, trim stems by about half if you want a neater clump or a later flush of flowers. Allow some seed to mature where natural reseeding is welcome.