About
An upright, bushy deciduous annual with feathery, divided dark green leaves and branched stems of white flowers with green centres, which appear during the summer. Flowers are followed by decorative dark red to almost black seed pods.
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
HabitColumnar upright, Bushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
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 need the winter protection of a cold frame or cloche
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free