Nigella, Love-in-a-Mist (Organic)
Nigella damascena.65-75 days
A fun and low-maintenance addition to the annual flower garden. Light blue or white, 1 ½” flowers are held within a framework of lacy leaves. As they dry down they transform into bulbous seed heads reminiscent of balloons. Blossoms are a good cut flower when fresh and seed heads make an even better, unique everlasting. Be sure to plant them where you’ll be happy to see them year after year, as they will self seed readily if left unharvested. Can be grown in full sun to part shade, with shade-grown plants reaching 3′ tall. This cool weather annual can be sown in fall for early blooms in spring, or spring sown for summer blooms. Bloom time is short – succession sowing is recommended for continuous harvest. Related to, but not the same as Black-Seeded Culinary Nigella which is used as a culinary herb. Possibly the best collection of common names for any one flower: Aka, Ragged Lady, Devil in the Bush, Love Entangle, Jack-in-Prison.
Direct sow 1/8” deep in fall for early spring blooms. Or sow in spring for summer blooms. Bloom time is short – succession sowing is recommended for continuous harvest. Thin to 6-12”. Transplanting not recommended. Will grow in part shade but prefers full sun. Deadhead to prolong bloom and limit self-seeding.
Seed Saving
Collect seeds from seed heads that are fully dry. Thresh by hand; winnow or screen to clean. Some cross-pollination may occur, isolate from other varieties of the same species by 1/4 mile.
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