is the common name for nigella damascena and has been around for over 400 years. It’s a very popular sow and forget annual, with feathery leaves and usually blue or white flowers, which grows to around 18 inches.
I have two groups, the blue ones which are around one side of the dustbin lid pond and white ones towards the top of the plot near the Jerusalem artichokes. Having mostly left them to self-seed last year they have multiplied significantly, and are now flowering profusely.
The common variety is Persian Jewels mixed but these are Miss Jekyll (blue) and Miss Jekyll White. The mixed ones include pink-rose coloured flowers but I’ve yet to spot any of these among mine. There are however a few of these blue-white ones.
It’s a great flower for cutting, and the attractive seed pods can be dried for winter decoration. It’s one of my favourites, especially the white ones.
This short time lapse film shows a flower opening, which is something that we never otherwise get to see.
All in all it’s a wonderful flower to have in any garden or on any plot.
Have a good weekend!
[Click on any picture to see a larger image]
Your love-in-a-mist patches have filled out beautifully it certainly pays to leave flowers to go to seed sometimes – love the time lapse film – isn’t nature wonderful.
Elaine they sure have, and it sure is! xx
I keep on meaning to sow this in the front side garden bordering on the public land. I’d love it to escape and brighten up the dull corner there!
x
VP sow some in the autumn and there’ll be a lovely display next year. xx
I must remember!
Have a great weekend
x
VP or early spring if you forget! Thanks, you too. xx
Beautiful….!
Cath they sure are! xx
I love Nigella too. Those blue-white flowers are unusual.
Jo it’s obviously a popular flower. Yes there’s just a handful like that. xx
I’d walked past a garden with this in flower yesterday and wondered what it was so that answered that question for me. Thanks Flighty. Beautiful pictures.
Maggie you’re welcome, and thanks. xx
I’m looking forward to this self-seeding on my allotment – that’s if it ever germinates this year
Sara I’m sure it will, everything has been slow this year. xx
Delightful flowers! And they’re even multiplying. Brilliant.
Nikki it’s great when they do this. xx
Lovely – and the foliage is nice too. Are they good for wildlife, do you know? If so, I shall buy a packet and hope it goes forth and multiplies on the hillside. x
Ellie they attract lots of bees. One packet is all you’ll need! xx
I sowed some last year and they’ve self seeded this year, though not quite ready to flower up here in Huddersfield but am sure they won’t be long. I love how they look as lovely after they have flowered as when in bloom. The seedheads are so beautiful. Thanks for the link to the time-lapse photography you see a whole new side to the flower.
Annie they’re something for you to look forward to in a couple of weeks or so. Yes I mostly leave mine be right through to late winter. You’re welcome. xx
I loved the short film – so wonderful to see! Thanks for the great photos and the link.
Doris me too. You’re welcome. xx