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Annual Biennial

Nigella damascena
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

love-in-a-mist

An upright, bushy annual to 50cm, with feathery bright green foliage. Saucer-shaped, pale blue flowers 4cm across with a ruff of foliage, finely divided at the tips, are borne in summer followed by decorative, inflated seed capsules

Other common names
bird's nest
blue spiderflower
see morechase-the-devil
devil in the bush
garden fennel
Jack in prison
Jack in the green
Katherine's flower
kiss-me-twice-before-I-rise
lady in the bower
love-in-a-puzzle
love-in-a-tangle
St Catherine's flower
blue crown
devil in a bush
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Blue Green Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Nigella are upright, bushy annuals with finely dissected leaves and solitary flowers with 5 blue or white, petal-like sepals and feathery bracts, followed by ornamental seed pods

Name status

Correct

Plant range
S Europe N Africa

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in situ in mid-spring or autumn. Autumn-sown plants may need the winter protection of a cold frame or cloche

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Patio and container plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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