Nigella damascena, love-in-a-mist, or devil in the bush, is an annual garden flowering plant, belonging to the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. It is native to southern Europe, north Africa and southwest Asia, where it is found on neglected, damp patches of land. The plant’s seeds were historically used in cooking and medicine. They have a slight resemblance to black cumin seeds and were often used in herbal remedies.
Characteristics
- Growth Habit: An annual herbaceous plant with an upright growth pattern. Typically reaches a height of 6–24 inches with a spread of about 8–12 inches.
- Flowers: Star-shaped with five prominent, petal-like sepals. Colors range from sky blue to white, pink, and lavender. Blooming occurs in late spring through early summer, with each flower lasting a few days.
- Foliage: Delicate, finely divided, feathery leaves that give a soft, misty appearance around the flowers. Bright green in color, contributing to the plant’s ornamental value even when not in bloom.
- Seed Pods: Distinctive, balloon-like pods with intricate green veins and stripes. Often used in dried flower arrangements for their ornamental beauty.
- Root System: Shallow, fibrous roots that make it easy to transplant when young, though direct sowing is preferred.
- Fragrance: Flowers and foliage are not noticeably fragrant. Seeds have a faint spicy aroma and are sometimes compared to black cumin.
- Self-Sowing Ability: Readily self-seeds in the garden, creating a naturalized effect. Non-invasive and easy to manage by thinning unwanted seedlings.
- Pollinator Attraction: Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making it a valuable addition to pollinator gardens.
- Temperature and Climate Tolerance: Prefers cooler weather for optimal growth, thriving in USDA Zones 2–11. Heat-resistant to some extent but may struggle in prolonged hot or humid conditions.
- Adaptability: Grows well in diverse soil types, provided they are well-drained. Suitable for various garden settings, including cottage gardens, borders, and wildflower meadows.
Uses
- Ornamental Plant: Love-in-a-Mist is a popular choice for cottage gardens, borders, and containers.
- Cut Flower: The flowers and seed pods can be used in fresh and dried flower arrangements.
- Culinary Use: The seeds can be used as a spice, similar to black pepper.
Interesting Facts
- The name “Nigella” comes from the Latin word “niger,” meaning black, referring to the plant’s black seeds.
- The plant is sometimes called “Devil-in-the-Bush” due to the intricate, almost spiky appearance of its seed pods.
Cultivation
Soil Requirements
- Prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH.
- Avoid overly rich soils, as they can result in excessive foliage at the expense of flowers.
Sunlight Needs
- Thrives in full sun (6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day).
- Tolerates light partial shade, but flowering may be reduced in low-light conditions.
Sowing Seeds
- Direct Sowing: Best to sow seeds directly in the garden, as Love-in-a-Mist does not transplant well due to its delicate root system.
- Timing: Sow seeds in early spring after the danger of frost has passed. In mild climates, seeds can also be sown in the fall for early blooms the following spring.
Seed Depth and Spacing
- Sow seeds shallowly, covering them lightly with a thin layer of soil or compost (about 1/8 inch deep).
- Space seeds 6–10 inches apart to allow proper air circulation and prevent overcrowding.
Watering Requirements
- Keep soil evenly moist until germination, which typically occurs within 2–3 weeks.
- Once established, the plant is drought-tolerant and only requires occasional watering. Overwatering should be avoided to prevent root rot.
Thinning and Maintenance
- Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding, leaving the healthiest plants to grow.
- Remove weeds around the plants, especially during the early stages, to minimize competition.
Deadheading and Self-Seeding
- Deadhead spent flowers to extend the blooming period.
- Alternatively, leave some flowers to develop seed pods if self-seeding or seed collection is desired.
Fertilization
- Typically, no additional fertilization is required if grown in moderately fertile soil.
- For poor soils, a light application of balanced, all-purpose fertilizer can boost growth.
Pests and Diseases
- Generally pest-free and disease-resistant.
- In humid climates, powdery mildew may develop; improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering to minimize risk.
Harvesting and Uses
- Flowers: Can be cut for fresh floral arrangements.
- Seed Pods: Harvest mature pods for dried arrangements or to collect seeds for replanting. Harvest pods when they are dry but before they split open.
Cultivars
The cultivars have larger flowers, often with extra rows of sepals (double flowers), and come in a wider range of colors than the species, which is typically just blue. Some cultivars include:
- ‘Miss Jekyll’ – has soft blue, semi-double flowers. This variety is the result of many years of careful selection and is the most commonly offered cultivar.
- ‘Miss Jekyll Alba’ – a pure white semi-double selection.
- ‘Mulberry Rose’ – a deeper pink selection.
- ‘Oxford Blue’ – a tall variety with dark seed pods and deep blue flowers.
- ‘Persian Jewels’ series – is a mixture of shades of mauve, lavender, purple, rose, light blue and white double flowers.
Both the flowers and the decorative green and burgundy seed pods can be used in fresh or dried floral arrangements. Cut flowers last longer if the leaves are removed from the lower part of the stem. To dry the seed pods, harvest when the stripes are still visible and hang pods upside down in a dry, dark, airy place. You may want to place them in paper bag to contain the seeds. Dividing the pods into small batches in separate bags will facilitate more rapid drying than placing them all in one large bag.