Nigella damascena (Love-in-a-Mist)
Love-in-a-Mist, Bird's Nest, Blue Crown, Blue Spiderflower, Chase-The-Devil, Devil in a Bush, 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
Nigella damascena (Love-in-a-Mist) is a popular, upright, bushy annual boasting pale blue flowers, 1. in. across (4 cm), from early to late summer. The pretty blossoms are borne atop stems clad with finely-cut, feathery foliage that forms a mist around them. They are followed by decorative, balloon-shaped, seed capsules that are terrific for dried flower arrangements. A cool weather annual, Love-in-a-Mist is easy to grow, low care and trouble-free. It looks good in the garden, even when the plant is not in bloom, thanks to its handsome foliage and interesting seedpods. A charming addition to mixed beds and borders, cottage gardens or containers.
- Grows up to 18-24 in. tall (45-60 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm). This plant will readily self-sow in the garden.
- Performs best in full sun in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Provide consistent moisture. Love-in-a-Mist does not perform well in hot weather.
- Virtually pest and disease free.
- Deadheading spent flowers will promote more blooms, but will also eliminate the attractive seed pods.
- 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.
- Love-in-a-Mist has a short bloom period (only a month or two). Make successive plantings every 3 weeks for continuous bloom all summer. The plants should begin blooming about three months after planting.
- Native to Northern Africa, Southern Europe.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 2
– 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 12 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Annuals |
Plant Family | Nigella |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 12" – 18" (30cm – 45cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |
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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 2
– 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 12 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Annuals |
Plant Family | Nigella |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 12" – 18" (30cm – 45cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |