Nigella - Love-In-A-Mist

Nigella, commonly known as Love-In-A-Mist, Devil in a Bush or Ragged Lady Flower, is a fabulous choice to add textural interest to your garden! This charming, old fashioned, cold hardy annual is part of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) and produces whimsical, whorled, star shaped flowers with antennae like dark stamens in the center. Nigella typically grows 16" to 24" inches tall with lush green, dill-like, lacy style foliage. Interestingly, the species originated in Southern Europe; however, its double-flowered form was in cultivation in England by 1597, when it was known as both Jack-in-Prison Flower and St Katherine’s Flower! In addition to being an popular cut flower, Love-In-A-Mist produces interesting horned seed pods when left uncut. Both the flower and seed pods make excellent dried flowers for arrangements. A prolific bloomer, Nigella is a workhorse with abundant blooms from spring through summer's end. A native of southern Europe and north Africa, Nigella prefers full sun, well drained soil and is available in several colors including light blue, violet, mauve, rose, white, purple and indigo. When well tended, Nigella is a compliment to all garden styles, especially given its interesting visual combination of foliage and flower blooms. A must have for any aspiring flower grower's garden.