Nigella damascena
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 nestblue 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 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Blue | Green | Green | |
Autumn | ||||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical 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
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.