Here is a beautiful vintage botanical illustration of a Crimson Flax. A description of this flower (from the book I scanned the illustration from) indicates the crimson flax is one of the most splendid hardy annuals known and is capable of becoming a perennial under suitable management. Its average growth is twelve to fifteen inches; the leaves are elliptic to linear, the upper ones the largest.

The image is from Familiar Garden Flowers, circa 1897, by F. Edward Hulme.

Click on image to enlarge.