Flowers – Love-in-a-Mist

The Love-in-a-Mist flower (Nigella damascena) is a striking annual in the buttercup family. Produces 1″-2″ blossoms in shades of blue, pink, purple, and white. Fluffy petals surround a horned center seed pod, and the entire flower is surrounded by a “mist” of fern-like foliage that continues along the thin stem that grows 1′-2′ tall. An old-fashioned flower with modern appeal.

• Life cycle: Annual
• Bloom season: Spring, summer, fall
• Attracts: Bees, butterflies, beneficial insects, and other pollinators
• Flower meaning: Harmony, love, peace, perplexity, unrequited love

SEED PLANTING TIPS

• Botanical name: Nigella damascena
• Hardiness zones: 2-11
• Planting season: Summer, fall
• Days to maturity: 60-90 days
• Cold stratify: Yes
• Depth to plant seeds: Lightly cover – seeds need light to germinate
• Spacing between plants: 8″-10″ apart
• Days to germinate (sprout): 14-21 days
• Germination soil temps: 65F-70F
• Soil types: Sandy, loamy, chalky, moist, well-drained
• Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
• Water needs: Average
• Sun needs: Full sun, part shade
• Frost tolerant: Yes
• Drought tolerant: Yes
• Deer resistant: Yes