Spanish Love-in-a-mist

Spanish Love-in-a-mist
Photo: C T Johansson · CC BY 3.0

Pet safety

Not known yet. Check before letting pets near.

Through the year

In flower: Jun, Jul, Aug

Key care steps

  1. Grow in full sun.
  2. Use well-drained loam or sandy soil and avoid waterlogging.
  3. Protect according to its H4 — down to −10°C hardiness rating.

Nigella hispanica is a more dramatic and robust relative of the common Love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena). In the UK garden, it stands out with its larger, more skeletal flowers of deep violet-blue, featuring a prominent cluster of dark burgundy-red stamens and styles in the centre. Growing to about 60cm, it has the characteristic feathery, fern-like foliage that creates a misty green haze around the base of the plant. One of its most striking features is the seed pod; after the petals fall, it produces large, dark, ornate pods with horn-like projections, which are highly prized for dried floral arrangements. It is a hardy annual that performs best when sown directly in spring or autumn. It requires a sunny position and well-drained soil. This species is slightly more vigorous than N. damascena and provides a longer season of interest thanks to its persistent and decorative seed heads. It is a fantastic choice for adding texture and structural intrigue to a summer border.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well-drained loam or sandy soil.

Hardiness: H4 — down to −10°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul, Aug.