Nigella damascena
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- nye-JELL-ah dam-ass-SEE-nah
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
