List 5 – Nigella damascena
Nigella damascena (love-in-a-mist)
Family: Ranunculaceae
Useful cultivars and selections:
- Many different cultivars including: ‘Miss Jekyll’, ‘Miss Jekyll Alba’, ‘Oxford Blue’
Size:
- 12” wide
- 15 to 24” tall
Soil & Water requirements:
- Well-drained
- Medium, consistent moisture
Exposure:
- Full sun
Leaves:
- Bright green, finely cut leaves; thread-like
- Creates a misty look
- Fine texture
Flowers:
- Light blue flowers; some selections are darker blue or white
- Bloom period from June to August
- Spent flowers can be removed to extend bloom time, however this will prevent the attractive seed pods from forming
Fruit:
- Develops after flowers bloom
- Attractive; showy; egg-shaped, horned seed capsules; very unique
Maintenance:
- Low
Suitable uses:
- Containers
- Mixed borders
- Cottage plantings
- Cut flower arrangements
Potential pairings:
- Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s ear)
Attracts:
- Beneficials
Propagation:
- Plants will self-seed in the garden
- Easily grown by seed
Other:
- Very unique in appearance; from a distance the plant looks fluffy/misty
- Easily grown
- Annual or short lived perennial