This easy grow annual plant has it all; pretty, fern like foliage, handsome velvety flowers, and eye-catching seed-heads! Grow Nigella papillosa 'Midnight' by sowing direct into beds and borders. Rich blue flowers sit aloft the lacy fine-cut foliage. These are followed by quirky, dark purple seed pods, extending the interest of this border star well into autumn. Love-in-a-mist is perfect for cutting and using fresh or dried. Height: 55cm (22"). Spread: 30cm (12").
Culinary note: The seeds have a strong aroma and spicy taste, they can be used as a condiment or spice to flavour cakes, breads and curries.
Direct sow Nigella seeds outdoors where they are to grow from April to May. Choose a position in full sun on well drained soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Sow seeds thinly, at a depth of 1cm (1/2") and cover seed with its own depth of soil to exclude light. Water the ground regularly, especially during dry periods. Germination usually takes 14-30 days. When Love in a mist seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out to 30cm (12") apart.
Alternatively, sow Nigella indoors from March to April at a temperature of 18-29C (65-85F). When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow them on in cooler conditions until large enough to plant outdoors.
This easy grow annual plant has it all; pretty, fern like foliage, handsome velvety flowers, and eye-catching seed-heads! Grow Nigella papillosa 'Midnight' by sowing direct into beds and borders. Rich blue flowers sit aloft the lacy fine-cut foliage. These are followed by quirky, dark purple seed pods, extending the interest of this border star well into autumn. Love-in-a-mist is perfect for cutting and using fresh or dried. Height: 55cm (22"). Spread: 30cm (12").
Culinary note: The seeds have a strong aroma and spicy taste, they can be used as a condiment or spice to flavour cakes, breads and curries.
Direct sow Nigella seeds outdoors where they are to grow from April to May. Choose a position in full sun on well drained soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Sow seeds thinly, at a depth of 1cm (1/2") and cover seed with its own depth of soil to exclude light. Water the ground regularly, especially during dry periods. Germination usually takes 14-30 days. When Love in a mist seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out to 30cm (12") apart.
Alternatively, sow Nigella indoors from March to April at a temperature of 18-29C (65-85F). When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow them on in cooler conditions until large enough to plant outdoors.
