Russian Almond vs Blue Flax - TreeTime.ca

Russian Almond vs Blue Flax

Prunus tenella

Linum lewisii

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Russian Almond
Blue Flax

Russian Almond is a low maintenance, short, slightly suckering shrub. It is covered with attractive, bright pink flowers in early spring before its foliage emerges.

This hardy species forms dense thickets attracts wildlife. Russian Almond prefers full sun and well-drained soils, but can tolerate moist soils.

The nuts it produces are quite attractive but very small. They are bitter and possibly toxic in large quantities.

Check out our YouTube channel video of the Russian Almond here.

Blue Flax is a native perennial wildflower known for its blue to violet flowers. Each flower lasts just a single day, but new blooms appear continuously, providing weeks of colour. This extended flowering period provides a reliable display from late spring into summer and attracts a variety of pollinators.

They can self-seed readily, so removing spent blooms helps manage their spread. Birds feed on the seeds, and when cooked, they are edible and are described as having a mild, nutty flavour. The plant grows in loose clumps with slender stems and fine foliage. Young plants are leafy, but as they mature, most leaves are shed.

Blue Flax grows well in a wide range of soils, including poor or sandy conditions, and is drought-tolerant once established. The deep root system helps to stabilize soil and prevent erosion. They are well-suited for pollinator gardens, restoration, naturalization, and xeriscaping projects.

Russian Almond Quick Facts

Blue Flax Quick Facts

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Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Growth form: upright, rounded, clump-forming
Spreading: seeds - high
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium


Toxicity: toxic to some animals, raw seed toxic
Flowers: bright pink
Flowers: pale to deep blue-violet
Bloom time: late spring to mid summer
Nuts: small fuzzy nuts
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, YT, NT, NU
Other Names: dwarf russian almond
Other Names: lewis flax, lewis wild blue flax, prairie flax, wild blue flax