Nigella hispanica

SPANISH FENNEL FLOWER

No WA

Nigella hispanica
SPANISH FENNEL FLOWER

Nigella hispanica is known as “Spanish Fennel Flower” and “Spanish Love-in-the-Mist”.
Not permitted for entry to WA

Velvety petals of dark blue-purple

Gardeners and florists alike, love the flowers of Nigella hispanica for their rich, dark colouring;  spectacular central crowns; and decorative seed pods.

Intricate deep purple-black crowns & spidery stamens

Each flower is also boldly topped by spidery dark purple-black 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 hispanica makes a wonderful fresh cut flower for floristry – with its deep blue-purple flowers and decorative 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 inflated seed pods are begin pale green with burgundy markings, and mature to dark purple.
They can be harvested, used and dried at any colour stage, for 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 rich blue-purple 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 3 months, depending on weather conditions.

Flowers are the Love while foliage is the Mist

Nigella hispanica 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, green Nigella hispanica 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

The old-fashioned Nigella hispanica is such an easy, low- maintenance and old favourite.
So positions in Full Sun or Partial Shade are all suitable.

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

Nigella hispanica is a water-wise plant, plus hardy in heat and dry.
And not fussy about soil type, though the soil must be well drained.
Sandy soils, Loam or Clay based soils, Alkaline to Neutral pH are all suitable.
But applications of lime are good if you garden on very acid soils.

Self-sowing annual

Nigella hispanica is a hardy annual that will reliably self-sow for next year, and many successive years. So it will give you pleasure for many years to come.
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 hispanica 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: 220 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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