Nigella Species, Devil in a Bush, Hair of Venus, Love-in-a-Mist, Ragged Lady

On Jul 30, 2021, Exceller from Groton, CT wrote:

2021 is my first year planting nigella here in southeastern Connecticut. The "leaves" are like delicate fern. The flowers are amazingly different and beautiful. Each plant has multiple buds and so far they are dark blue center with lighter blue outer petals. My only surprise is that the stems are weak resulting in the plant creeping along the soil as it gets older. I find it exotic and lovely

On Jul 31, 2017, leemiller38 from Stockton, CA wrote:

This plant becomes a weed. One other person gave it a negative and I second it. I still haven't gotten rid of it after 20 years of trying. It is pretty and alluring but beware---you will get more than you bargained for.

On Jul 8, 2015, amnaparvin from Seoul,
South Korea wrote:

Hello, i need aerial part of nigella damascena for my research. can anyone provide me sample? i will be thankful.

On May 17, 2014, Avalonparker from Vancouver, BC,
Canada wrote:

Please add to the list of where it grows
that it also grows well in Vancouver, B.C., Canada

On Sep 3, 2012, cargarden from Goodview, MN wrote:

This plant is a must have, grow some of them in my front yard & always get great comments on them. I always forget sometimes to collect the seeds as I do for Cleome. Love them

On Jul 3, 2012, TiaLee1 from Rathdrum, ID (Zone 5b) wrote:

Yes, this is easy to grow from seed and is a pretty plant from foliage to seed pods.

However, if you do not want to be pulling out the seedlings of this prolific self-seeder forever, either don't grow it or put it somewhere it can run fee. Once planted, you will never need to plant it again. And may well wish you never had.

On Feb 28, 2012, Gabrielle from (Zone 5a) wrote:

A very nice plant, both for the flower and the seed head. Blooms May-July in my garden. The number of seedlings that survive the winter is amazing!

On May 12, 2010, Lady_B from Bellevue, WA wrote:

The seeds for this plant were in a Wildflower packet I planted last April. We built a brand new raised garden with a 10 yd order of compost-topsoil-sand mix from a large nursery in Kent WA.
I sprayed "Spray and Grow" on the foliage 3 times during growing season. I had no idea what flowers to expect, and until today I did not know the name of this flower. The plant grew over 4 ft before any flowers appeared. The beautiful fine feathery foliage made a wonderful filler in other bouquets, as still no blossoms had appeared. Mid summer some buds began to appear and there was one single pink blossom at the top of each nearly 5 ft. plant.
Quite an experience, so I've found another wild flower packet and will plant this weekend. Of course, last summer was glorious. We actually saw t... read morehe thermometer hit 105 here in Bellevue.
Today on May 13th it's 61 degrees outside.

On May 11, 2009, anelson77 from Seattle, WA wrote:

These hardy annuals reseed so reliably they may as well be perennial in Seattle. The seed germinate and the feathery foliage appears in the fall, and even survives hard freezes and snow. Mine are a divine light blue in the late spring. They grow everywhere, sun or part shade, dry or watered, in poor soil with no fertilizer. They are not weedy though, maybe slightly too freely reseeding but easy to pull where not wanted. After they bloom the dried seedpods are interesting looking.

On Dec 1, 2007, Almaden from San Jose, CA wrote:

Another presentation of the lovely seed pod that is very attractive in floral arrangements: cross-sectioned. Cutting the seed pod cleanly through the middle (perpendicular to the stem) reveals the beautiful symmetry of the chambers of the pod, decorated with the little black dots of the seeds.
This is a plant that keeps on giving visual pleasure in its many forms.

On Jun 2, 2004, tzatzu from Santa Maria, CA wrote:

Very easy to grow. When left to self seed a new crop comes up all year long (on Central Coast, CA). The buds and flowers make beautiful cut flower arrangements. The flowers last up to 4 days in plain water. . .may last longer with use of florist tricks.

On Aug 7, 2003, Ladyfern from Jeffersonville, IN (Zone 6a) wrote:

I've found that seeds planted in the spring as normally recommended produces small plants that grow small flowers. They do much better when the seed is scattered in the summer. They sprout, overwinter as seedlings, and then shoot up and look great in the spring. They're done flowering about the time the perennials are coming into it, so then you pull out all the spent Nigella and let the perennials take over. A nice ferny filler to let self-sow. You need to watch the flowers, though, if you like the doubles. I promptly pull out the ones that are singles to try to keep the doubles reseeding.

On Nov 5, 2000, gardener_mick from Wentworth, SD (Zone 4a) wrote:

Love-in-a-mist is an annual that grows 1 to 1-1/2' tall. This plant has a branching habit. The most common colors are blue and white; but pink, red, and purple are also available. The foliage is lacey and fern-like giving the plant an airy feel. The flower is short-lived, but if seeds are sown every 2-3 weeks, you can extend this period through the summer. This plant is native to southern Europe and North Africa.

The seed pods are great for dried arrangements. To dry them, you need to cut the pods when they are still green and fresh looking. Wrap the stems with a piece of wire or string and hang upside down in a dry place until they are dry.

Two varieties are: 'Persian Jewels' and 'Miss Jekyll'