About
A bushy, upright annual to about 70cm with very intricately divided foliage.In spring or summer, depending on sowing date, produces white, single flowerswith a central, deep purple boss, followed by inflated seed pods that start pale green and turn dark purple.
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
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens, Gravel garden
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 cloche
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free