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Nigella damascena

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
nye-JELL-ah dam-ass-SEE-nah
Description

This is a cool-weather annual grown for unusual flowers and seed pods which can be used in flower arrangements. Sow seed in the garden as soon as the ground can be worked. In cool summer climates, additional sowings can be done every 3-4 weeks until mid-summer. Prefers average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#violet#white flowers#summer flowers#seed pods#self-seeding#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#violet#white flowers#summer flowers#seed pods#self-seeding#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Nigella
    Species:
    damascena
    Family:
    Ranunculaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Macaronesia, Mediterranean to Iran
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 1 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Good Dried
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Egg-shaped, horned seed capsules (to 1” diameter) that are covered with bristles. Stems with dried seed capsules make excellent additions to dried flower arrangements.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Showy
    Flower Shape:
    Crown
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Each solitary blue flower appears to sit on a bed of lacy (and misty) foliage
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Filiform
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Finely-cut, thread-like leaves
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups