Love-In-A-Mist, Devil in the bush
Nigella damascena
Family: Ranunculaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Blue, Pink. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.
Nigella damascena is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a fast rate. It is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 0.6
Where it is found
Stony, sunny positions.
Europe - Mediterranean. A rare casual in Britain.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Seed - raw or cooked. Normally used as a condiment, it has a nutmeg flavour.
Oil: Oil
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
Medicine
Rating: 1
Expectorant.
Expectorant: Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
Other
Rating: 2
An essential oil distilled from the plant is used in perfumery and lipsticks. The seed contains about 43.5% fatty oil, consisting of 97% total fatty acids of which 30% is free fatty acid. No uses of this oil are given in the report.
Essential: Essential oils that are used in perfumery, medicines, paint solvents, insect repellents etc.
Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Container, Massing, Rock garden, Specimen, Woodland garden. An easily grown plant, succeeding in any good garden soil, preferring a sunny position. A very ornamental plant, there are some named varieties. Plants are fast-growing and often self-sow if the ground is disturbed by some means such as hoeing. The flowers are very attractive to bees. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Naturalizing, Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring or early autumn in situ. The autumn sowing might not be successful in harsh winters. Plants can be transplanted if necessary.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Annual
Hardiness: 0-0
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist