Nigella Persian Jewels

Persian Jewels is utterly ravishing with all the delights of the foliage and seed heads enhanced further by the range of pretty colours that including pinks, purple, lilac, blue and white.  They cope quite well with drought and don’t require daily watering.  A good cut flower that can also be dried and enjoyed in a different season but please remember to leave some for your garden wildlife to enjoy - listed by the RHS as a pollinators plant.

Find even more information about Nigella damascena Persian Jewels below. 

Flowers from summer for months if deadheaded, if allowing seed pods to form use repeat sowing every 3-4 weeks for a succession of blooms.

Height 45-60cm

Annual

Price for 200 seeds

SOW: in March to May where they are to flower, on open soil and barely cover the seed (3mm).  Germination takes about 21 days or so.  An early autumn sowing can be made if you are in a sheltered area: this will give you flowers a little earlier in the following year.  You can also sow them under cover in the autumn in modules (to prevent root disturbance) before planting out in the spring

GROW:  they like most garden soils but are happiest in a well-drained site in sunshine.  Nigella are easy and will flower for months if deadheaded, should you want to enjoy the seed pods them repeat sowing every 3-4 weeks will produce a succession of blooms.

ENJOY:

FOR WILDLIFE

• Short tongued bumblebees (Bombus pratorum) also known as Early Bumblebees these are possibly the prettiest and smallest bumblebees you will see: look out for a bright orange tail and lemon-yellow bands on the body
• Honey bees
• The nectar & pollen rich flowers attract other beneficial insects to the garden

IN THE GARDEN

• Bedding: can be planted as a drift, mulch beneath to retain moisture and supress weeds
• Cutting for fresh use: pick flowers and seed pods early in the morning, remove some of the lower leaves and stand them in deep water for a few hours before arranging, lasts 7-10 days in a vase.
• Drying for arrangements: wait for the seed heads then cut the stems at the base and hang them upside down with string to dry
• Slugs and snails seem to avoid Nigella
• They are deer and rabbit resistant 
• Drought tolerant

EDIBLE

• Nigella damascena seeds have an intense nutmeg-like flavour when finely ground and this spicy flavour is delicious used judiciously in condiments and sweets and more traditionally in bread and cheese – don’t overuse as large amounts can cause an upset stomach
• To harvest wait until the pods start to turn brown then harvest and dry them on kitchen paper until they are papery. At this point they are starting to crack at the top, allowing you to shake the seeds onto clean paper. Sort through and clean out any bits and seed bugs before storing in a cool, dark and dry place.

HISTORICAL

• Nigella damascena is native to northern Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean
• The first evidence in Europe comes from the late Bronze Age (1500-1000BCE): an archaeobotanical study of a area in the Alps found preserved seed in mining spoil leading to the supposition that it had come with an influx of people or from an exchange of traded goods
• Grown in English cottage gardens since the Elizabethan era

OTHER see caution below

• Nigella damascena revels in many names, including Love-In-The-Mist To Bird’s Nest, Spiderflower, Devil In The Bush, Blue Crown and Ragged Lady
• During Victorian times the floriography (language of flowers) had Nigella as a symbol of unrequited love. A bouquet received including this bloom would be interpreted as a rejection
• The Roman physician, Dioscorides used Nigella seeds to cure headaches, treat nasal congestion and toothaches, as a natural insect repellent and to treat intestinal worms
• The ground seed was used as a snuff
• The seeds, crushed into a paste, were used to banish freckles
• Nigella damascena is said more recently to have an expectorant effect in small doses (used to treat coughs), but the effect has not been clinically proven
• There has been little medical research specifically of Nigella damascene, it should not to be confused with N.sativa (aka black cumin)
• Please Note: we do not promote the medicinal use of plants – guidance and information should be sought elsewhere.

SUITS

• These can be prolific self-seeders perfect for wildflower meadows
• Gravel gardens & coastal gardens benefit from their drought tolerance
• Cottage style and and informal garden plantings
• Wildlife gardens
• Cutting garden
• An easy filler for borders