Linum
This member of the flax family comes from the foothills of the Himalayas. It is a particularly useful plant because it produces bright yellow flowers in the middle of winter, bringing some much-needed cheer when the rest of the garden is bare.
Plant details
Common name: Linum, yellow flax
Botanic name: Reinwardtia indica
Description
A small evergreen shrub, growing to about 1m (3′) tall. It forms a bushy clump with erect stems suckering from the base. The oval-shaped leaves are lime green. In winter it produces masses of 5-petalled, butter-yellow flowers.
Best climate: Warm, frost-free areas.
Uses
winter flowering shrub tub or pot plant mass plantings
Good points
cheerful, yellow flowers in winter hardy easy to grow
Downside
Although evergreen, the foliage is sparse. Plants in pots can be moved out of sight when not in flower.
Care
Linums grow well in either full sun or light shade. They prefer a light, well-drained soil.
In late winter, after flowering, prune the whole plant back by half to encourage bushiness.
Getting started:
Linums are available at nurseries, particularly in winter when they are in flower.
They can be propagated by dividing an established clump in winter, or from soft-tip cuttings taken in spring.
