Nigella papillosa

‘Delft Blue’

DELFT BLUE LOVE-IN-THE-MIST

No WA

Nigella papillosa ‘Delft Blue’
DELFT BLUE LOVE-IN-THE-MIST

Nigella papillosa ‘Delft Blue’ is one of the loveliest of all the “Love-in-the-Mists” for a soft and delicate look.
Not permitted for entry to WA

Silken white petals splashed with blue, navy, and grey

Gardeners and florists alike, love the flowers for their delicate, unique colouring – like antique Delft blue pottery.
Silken white petals are splashed with soft blends of blue, navy, and grey, as if a water-colour painter has been at work.
And no two flowers are alike – so they may be almost wholly coloured, while others are barely brushed with blue shades.

Intricate deep purple crowns & spidery stamens

Each flower is also boldly topped by spidery black-purple stamens and prominent crown-like centre.

Dainty ferny foliage & dramatic seed pods

With the added double bonus of decorative, dainty ferny foliage; and dramatic seed pods too.

Favourite florist’s flower – fresh or dried

Nigella papillosa ‘African Bride’ makes a wonderful fresh cut flower for floristry – with its painted blue flowers, decorative purple stamens and prominent deep purple centres.
But it is also highly valued as a dried flower.
So just hang upside down in a dry place out of strong light, and allow to dry.

Decorative seed pods & foliage are even more valuable

If left unharvested, each flower will then develop to a large, very decorative, dramatic seed pod.
Which are if anything, are even more popular with florists than the lovely flowers.
The striking seed pods can also be used fresh or dried in floral arrangements.

Ridiculously easy sowings for Flower Farmers

Sowings at three weekly intervals through late winter, spring, and autumn, will ensure Flower Farmers have a continuous commercial harvest of blooms, pods plus foliage, for months.
Nigella is so quick and reliable from seed – it is no hardship to do.
They are very successful when seed is simply scattered directly into the garden or flower field.
An application of potassium before flowering will give stems maximum strength for professional arranging.

“Cut and Come Again” flowers

So you can harvest armloads of painted blue flowers for the vase or florist, safe in the knowledge more flowers and pods will all come again soon.

Quick from seed to flower

From sowing the seed to flower harvest is approximately 65 to 85 days, depending on weather conditions.

Flowers are the Love while foliage is the Mist

Love-in-the-Mist is valued in the garden for many assets, including the mists of delicate, fine and ferny foliage that wafts around the flowers.
It makes a lovely texture contrast in the garden.

Misty filler foliage for florists

Misty, gray-green Nigella papillosa foliage is also highly valued by florists as a filler and contrast in bouquets and vases.

Harvest “black-cumin” seeds for cooking

Seeds of Nigella papillosa ‘Delft Blue’ are a popular edible spice, known as Black Cumin.
It is a popular flavouring in curry, rice, cakes, breadmaking and Indian cuisine, with a more gentle flavour than the seeds of Nigella sativa or Nigella damascena (also known as Black Cumin).
The seeds also have a wonderful spicy aroma.

Neglect proof, “tough as nails” hardy

Gardeners adore Nigella for being so neglect proof, “tough as nails” hardy, and easy to grow.
So it is great for filling in a tricky spot, or an area that gets forgotten.

Low maintenance old favourite

‘Delft Blue’ is an easy, low- maintenance and old fashioned favourite.
So positions in Full Sun, Partial Shade or Dappled Light are all to her liking.

Water-wise, hardy in heat & dry, unfussy about soil

Nigella papillosa ‘Delft Blue’ is a water-wise plant, plus hardy in heat and dry.
And she is not fussy about soil type, but the soil must be well drained.
Sandy soils, Loam or Clay based soils, Alkaline to Neutral pH are all suitable.
Applications of lime are good if you garden on acid soils.

Self-sowing annual

‘Delft Blue’ is a hardy annual that will reliably self-sow for next year, and many successive years. Giving you pleasure for many years.
Each plant approx. 50-60cm. High in flower x 45cm. Wide of the prettiest, laciest foliage.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & SUPER EASY
Recommended for beginners and kids

Nigella papillosa ‘Delft Blue’ seeds are very easy to germinate.

Scattered directly in the garden: Sow directly into the garden 5mm. deep, in autumn, winter or early spring.
Wet the soil before sowing for improved germination, as the seeds adhere better to the soil.
Autumn sown plants will develop a tap root and remain as ferny foliage, until they shoot away for the earliest flowers of the spring.
OR
Sown in a punnet indoors: For maximum number of early plants, whenever suitable temperatures can be provided (15-20°C).

Sow indoors for quick & early plants: First sow the seeds in a punnet on good quality seed raising mix.
Then barely cover the seeds with 1 mm. of sieved mix / fine grit / fine vermiculite.
But do not bury the seeds deeply because light is needed for these seeds to germinate.

Then place the sown punnet in a warm, well lit position (not in any direct sunlight).

Temperatures of 15-20°C are ideal for rapid and optimum germination.
You can use a heat mat if you have one.
But it is not essential because these seeds are willing and easy germinators.
So a warm window sill or corner will be fine (not in any direct sunlight).

Continue to keep the sown punnet consistently moist, but not wet, by spraying with a fine mist water bottle.

Germination takes approx. 10-14 days.

Once germinated, prick out and place in a well aired and lit area to grow on and plant out into the garden.

Seed Count: 200 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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