Nigella damascena Moody Blues (mixed)

RHS Plant Profile
love-in-a-mist [Moody Blues]
Plants for pollinators
Annual Biennial

A single-stemmed or branching annual to 50cm tall with finely divided, bright green leaves. In summer it produces flowers to 4.5cm across in a range of blue shades; these are followed by decorative, inflated seed capsules. Both the flowers and seed capsules can be used for floral arrangements. A good plant for pollinating insects

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Nigella are upright, bushy annuals with finely dissected leaves and solitary flowers with 5 blue or white, petal-like sepals and feathery bracts, followed by ornamental seed pods
Name Status
Trade

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in situ in mid-spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Bedding

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free