Nigella - Love in a Mist - Persian Jewels

OH A plant of many names that I fell in love with for its common name, Love In A Mist, which describes how the flowers look to be floating in a sea of feathery fennel like leaves (the mist). Also known as Devil In The Bush, Jack In The Green or Lady In The Bower, this beautiful mix of blue, purple, white and dusky pink annual flowers are in the Ranunculaceae family. Native to southern Europe, north Africa and southwest Asia, the latin name Nigella damadcena suggests it came from Damascus and that it is black, indeed the seeds are a vibrant black. It’s famous cousin Nigella sativa is the popular spice Black Cumin. Although Love In A Mist is edible as well, it is mostly grown as a cut flower and the seed heads are equally attractive and used in both dried and fresh floral bouquets.

Hardy annual, readily self-seeds and prefers direct sown. Or for trays, sow seeds in spring in glasshouse. Prick out to 4 cm spacing when true leaves appear. Transplant into fertile garden bed at 20-25 cm diagonal spacing.

50 seeds.