Nigella damascena

Love-in-a-Mist
Nigella damascena
Type: Annual
Exposure: Sun / Part Shade
Water: Regular

Here’s an old-fashioned cottage garden favorite. Love-in-a-Mist is an annual that will rise to 18in (45cm) high by about half as wide in a wispy cluster of very fine, fennel-like foliage which almost surrounds the blooms. The effect is a flower engulfed in a sort of green mist, hence the name. The flowers are cornflower-blue, about an inch to inch and a half (2.5-3.75cm) across, but are available in white, yellow, purple and rose-colored varieties also. They have an interesting arrangement of green curving stamens. When the flowers are done, interesting, many sectioned seed pods form, which work well in floral arrangements. Although the plant will not overwinter, in self-seeds freely, but not enough to make a nuisance of itself.

Cheers,

John