Nigella
nye-JEL-ah. Buttercup family, Ranunculaceae.
Nigella contains 20 species of bushy annuals native to the Mediterranean, and Western Asia. They bear deeply cut, feathery leaves and flowers in shades of lavender-blue, purple, pink and white. The flowers have five petal-like sepals and from five to 10 true petals, which are somewhat smaller. In some species, the flowers are surrounded by a ruff (technically called an involucre) of branched, threadlike, green bracts - a characteristic that leads to the common name love-in-a-mist. The flowers, borne in summer, are followed by inflated seed capsules that are often used in dried arrangements.
How To Grow
A site with full sun and average well-drained soil is all these easy-to-grow plants require. They are happiest in cool weather. Sow seeds outdoors several weeks before the last spring frost date, barely covering the seeds with soil. Or sow indoors in individual pots six to eight weeks before the last frost date at 65° to 70°F. Outdoor sowing is generally best. For continued bloom in cool climates, sow new crops every four weeks through late summer. Or sow outdoors in fall for bloom the following year. Water during dry weather. Deadheading prolongs bloom but prevents the formation of the ornamental seedpods. Use nigellas in mixed beds, as fillers among perennials, as cut flowers, or dry the seedpods. Plants self sow.
N. damascena p.
N. dam-ah-SEEN-ah. Love-in-a-mist, Devil-in-a-bush. (pictured at left)
A 1½- to 2-foot annual with 1¾-inch-wide flowers in shades of lavender blue, purple, violet, pink, rose-red and white. The flowers are surrounded by a showy involucre of branched, threadlike bracts. Plants in the Persian Jewels Series are 16 inches tall and come in an array of rich colors. Cool-weather annual.
N. hispanica
n. hiss-PAN-ih-kah. Fennel Flower. (pictured above right)
A 1½-foot annual with deeply cut but not threadlike leaves and 2½-inch wide, blue, faintly fragrant flowers with maroon-red stamens that lack an involucre of bracts. Cool-weather annual.
EXCLUSIVE ONLINE ONLY AUTHOR’S NOTE
(Text does not appear in book.)
Nigella Cultivars
While Persian Jewels series cultivars - in rich shades of red, rose, blue, violet and white - are most commonly available, gardeners can find a few other options.
'Cramer's Plum' - bears white flowers on 18- to 24-inch-tall plants. Blooms are followed by dark burgundy-red pods.
'Dwarf Moody Blue' - a compact, 6- to 8-inch-tall cultivar with small blue flowers.
'Miss Jekyll' - bears bright blue, semidouble blooms on 18-inch-tall plants.
'Miss Jekyll Alba' - also 18 inches tall, features semidouble white blooms.
'Oxford Blue' - a 30-inch-tall cultivar with double, dark blue flowers and handsome dark seed pods.
For the Plant Of The Month index click here.
The above copyrighted information is adapted with permission from the "Taylor’s Guide to Annuals: How to select and grow more than 400 annuals, biennials, and tender perennials," (Houghton Mifflin, 1999, softcover) written by Barbara W. Ellis and published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. The Exclusive Online Only Author's Note comes directly from Ellis and is not included in the book.
Ellis is also the author of "Taylor's Guide to Growing North America's Favorite Plants: A detailed, how-to-grow guide to selecting, planting, and caring for the best classic plants." (Houghton Mifflin, 1998, softcover). Country Living magazine called this comprehensive reference "The 'must-have' gardening book of the year."
For more information about these books, please visit your local bookseller.
Images provided by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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