Love in a Mist

Botanical Name

Nigella damascena

Height

18 to 24 inches

Width

18 inches wide

Flowers

Summer: blue, white, pink, rose, purple; followed by showy seedheads

Light

Full sun

Soil

Moist, well-drained

Planting & Care

Sow seeds directly in the garden, ¹/₈ inch deep, as soon as the ground can be worked in spring
In cool summer climates, additional sowings can be done every 3-4 weeks until mid summer
Start seeds indoors about 4 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost date
Since plants dislike transplanting, sow in individual peat pots when starting indoors and carefully plant out in the garden
Deadheading will prolong bloom, but sacrifices the development of attractive seed pods
Readily self-sows in the garden

Problems

None serious

Varieties

Miss Jekyll - soft blue, semi-double flowers
Miss Jekyll Alba - pure white semi-double flowers
Persian Jewels series - white, light blue, lavender, mauve, purple and rose double flowers
Mulberry Rose - deep pink
Oxford Blue - deep blue flowers with dark seed pods, taller variety