Nigella damascena alba

‘Miss Jekyll’s White’

MISS JEKYLL’S WHITE LOVE-IN-THE-MIST

Nigella damascena alba ‘Miss Jekyll’s White’
MISS JEKYLL’S WHITE LOVE-IN-THE-MIST

Nigella damascena alba is a much loved old favourite for very good reasons.

Pure white turban flowers 

Gardeners love it for the mass of pure white, turban-like flowers

Produced continually over summer

Blooms are produced continually over summer.

With even better seed pods

Followed by swollen balloons of seed pods which are even more decorative.

Dainty feathery ferny foliage 

With finest, dainty ferny foliage as the third bonus.

Gardeners adore it for being “Tough as Nails” hardy 

Gardeners and Flower Farmers adore it for being so neglect proof, “tough as nails” hardy, and easy to grow.

Adored by florists for flowers & pods

Nigella damascena alba also makes a wonderful cut flower.

Dried seed pods are a florists favorite

But it is the seed pods that florists truly love for arrangements

“Cut & come again” flowers

Nigella is a “Cut and Come Again” variety.
So you can harvest armloads for the vase safe in the knowledge more will come again soon.

Seeds traditionally used as a condiment & herbal medicine

Nigella damascena seeds are also traditionally used as a condiment and herbal medicine.
They have a mild, fruity pepper flavour.
And are used in cakes, biscuits, and dishes made with fruit – where the fruity pepper adds a flavour level.
TIP: For harvesting Nigella damascena seed for cooking: Only save and use seeds that are ripe and black. Green or white seeds are not ripe and should not be eaten. The flowers and foliage of Nigella damascena are also not edible.

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.

Very successful just scattered in the garden

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.

Quick from seed to flower

From sowing the seed to flower harvest is approximately 70 to 90 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 Nigella damascena foliage is also highly valued by florists as a filler and contrast in bouquets and vases.

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

‘Miss Jekyll’s White’ is an easy, low- maintenance and old fashioned favourite.

Sun or Shade

So positions in Full Sun, Partial Shade or Dappled Light are all to her liking.

Water-wise, hardy in heat & dry

Nigella damascena ‘Miss Jekyll’s White’ is a water-wise plant, plus hardy in heat and dry.

Not fussy about soil type

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

Nigella damascena alba is a hardy annual that will reliably self-sow for next year, and will give you pleasure for many years.
Height: Approx. 45cm  x Width:Approx. 45cm.

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

Nigella damascena alba seeds are easy to germinate sown directly into the garden 3mm. deep, in autumn, winter or early spring.
OR
Sown in a punnet indoors at any time, whenever temperatures are suitable (15-20°).

Indoors for quick & early plants: First sow the seeds in a punnet on good quality seed raising mix.
Then cover the seeds with 3mm. 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.

Continue to keep the sown punnet consistently moist, but not wet, by sparaying with a fine mist water bottle.
Covering the punnet with a clear plastic lid or plastic bag will also help to maintain consistent moisture.
(Remove cover as soon as sprouts appear).

Germination takes approx. 10-21 days.

Prick out seedlings quickly, as soon as they have developed their first set of true leaves.
Pot up and grow on for garden planting.

Scatter directly in the garden: Easy to grow, self-sowing annual. Prefers Full Sun, or ½ Shade/ Dappled Sun.

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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