Linum narbonense

Perennial of the Linaceae family, Linum narbonense is native to the western Mediterranean basin, present from Portugal and Spain to Italy and southern France, including the Narbonne region, from which it derives its name. It colonizes scrublands, dry calcareous grasslands, and well-exposed rocky slopes, in plains and low mountains.

It forms an upright and slightly bushy clump, with fine and branched stems, reaching 30 to 50 cm in height. The foliage is narrow, linear to lanceolate, a glaucous green to gray-green, densely arranged on the stems.

The flowers are among the largest of the genus in Europe, a strong azure blue to lavender blue, with five broad and rounded petals, marked at the base with a white center that radiates fine veins across the entire petal, as can be clearly observed on fresh flowers. In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from May to July. In cultivation, it often begins as early as April-May depending on exposure.

It requires well-drained soil, preferably calcareous, in full sun, and tolerates summer drought well once established. Hardy and undemanding, it reseeds moderately and benefits from being rejuvenated by division every three or four years.