Love-In-A-Mist. Large blooms in shades of blue, pink, and white on 1 1/2 foot plants, with delicate, ferny foliage. A well-known annual, the flowers are airy and showy, surrounded by a lacy shroud of greenery. As an everlasting, this is prized for its large balloon-like seed pods which are dried and used in arrangements.

100 seeds

PLANTING

Nigella damascena

Annual

Germination:14-30 days

Germination Temperature:Optimum soil temperatures 65-70F

Seed Planting Depth:Sow on the surface and lightly cover the seed

Starting Indoors:Start indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Provide 65-70F soil temperature. Using peat, cow, or paper pots can help with the stress of transplanting, they grow delicate roots and successful transplanting may be challenging. Transplant apart after the last frost, 4-6 apart.

Sowing Outdoors:Mid-spring when soil is over 60F. Sow a few seeds every 2-6″. Thin to the most robust seedling. Sow every 3 weeks for a continuous supply of flowers.

Growth Habit:Upright, branching

Height and Width:18-24″ x 12-18″

Spacing:2-6″ apart

Light Needs:Full sun

Soil Needs:Average, well-drained

Approximate days to flower from seed:65-70 days

Uses:Cut flowers, decorative dried seedheads, flower beds, wildflower and cottage gardens

Care:Water seedlings regularly until established. Amend soil with compost before transplanting.Cut back stems as the blooms fade, this encourages more flower production.Harvest flowers for drying when petals fall off and hang upside down in a dark room with good airflow.Apply a liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks or use a time-release fertilizer at planting time. Reseeds easily.