About
This upright, bushy annual to 50cm, with feathery fresh green foliage. Saucer-shaped, pale blue flowers 4cm across with a ruff of foliage, intricately divided at the tips, are borne in summer followed by decorative, inflated seed capsules.
About the 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
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Patio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Wildflower meadow
Native toS Europe N Africa
Care notes
CultivationGrow in any well-drained soil in full sun
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in situ in mid-spring or autumn. Autumn-sown plants may need the winter protection of a cold frame or cloche
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free