Quick Guide: summer, hardy, full sun, height: 15-45cm/6-18in, width: 23cm/9in
Popularly known as love-in-a-mist, Nigella damascena is one of the group of plants typical of the English cottage garden. It looks well with lupins and aquilegias against a background of clematis and old roses. The leaves are delicate and fern-like; the flowers, usually blue but sometimes pink, resemble cornflowers.
PROPAGATION Sow seeds in the flowering site at intervals throughout the spring. Protect with cloches in colder areas. Thin out to 20cm/8in apart when the seedlings are large enough to handle. Love-in-a-mist does not transplant well.
GROWING A well-drained soil is best, and a position in full sun essential. Plants often self-seed, giving you new plants in succeeding years (though not necessarily where you would choose to put them).
VARIETIES `Miss Jekyll', bright blue semi-double flowers; `Persian jewels', mixed colours - pink, red, mauve, pale, blue and white.
POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Generally trouble-free.
