Delft Blue Nigella

Distinctive violet-blue streaks on snowy white petals. A well-loved cottage flower named for the famous Dutch Delft blue pottery. Easy to grow, the fresh flowers and unusual dried seed pods make outstanding cut flowers. Also Called love in a mist. Grows 18-24”.

100 Seeds

PLANTING

Nigella damascena 

Annual

Germination: 14-30 days

Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 65-70ºF

Seed Planting Depth: Sow on the surface and lightly cover the seed

Starting Indoors:  Start indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Provide 65-70ºF soil temperature. Using peat, cow, or paper pots can help with the stress of transplanting, they grow delicate roots and successful transplanting may be challenging. Transplant apart after the last frost, 4-6” apart.  

Sowing Outdoors: Mid-spring when soil is over 60ºF. Sow a few seeds every 2-6". Thin to the most robust seedling. Sow every 3 weeks for a continuous supply of flowers.

Growth Habit: Upright, branching

Height and Width:  18-24" x 12-18"

Spacing: 2-6" apart

Light Needs: Full sun

Soil Needs: Average, well-drained

Approximate days to flower from seed: 65-70 days

Uses: Cut flowers, decorative dried seedheads, flower beds, wildflower and cottage gardens

Care: Water seedlings regularly until established. Amend soil with compost before transplanting.  Cut back stems as the blooms fade, this encourages more flower production. Harvest flowers for drying when petals fall off and hang upside down in a dark room with good airflow. Apply a liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks or use a time-release fertilizer at planting time. Reseeds easily.