🌸

Love in a mist

Nigella damascena

Basic Details

Description

Floral Formula

Features

Translations

Basic Details

NameLove in a mist

DescriptionCharming cottage garden annual featuring delicate jewel-like flowers in shades of blue, white, pink, or purple that appear to float within a misty cloud of fine, feathery green foliage. The thread-like bracts surrounding each bloom create a lacy, ethereal effect. After flowering, produces distinctive balloon-shaped seed pods with maroon stripes, prized for dried arrangements. An old-fashioned favorite that self-seeds readily, returning year after year with minimal care in cottage and wildflower gardens.

FamilyRanunculaceae

GenusNigella

TribeNigelleae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ⚥ K5 C5-10 A∞ G(5)

Ebracteate (no true bracts, but surrounded by finely divided involucral leaves), radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), bisexual, 5 large petal-like sepals (colorful), 5-10 small tubular petals modified as nectaries, numerous free stamens, 5 fused carpels with superior ovary. Similar structure to hellebores

Features

Name 'Love-in-a-Mist' describes flowers nestled in ring of finely divided, thread-like bracts resembling mist. 'Nigella' from Latin 'niger' (black) for black seeds. 'Damascena' refers to Damascus, Syria. Also called 'Devil-in-the-Bush' and 'Jack-in-Prison' for flower trapped in foliage. Victorian favorite symbolizing perplexity
Flowers 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) across with 5-10 petal-like sepals (true petals are tiny nectaries). Colors include sky blue, deep blue, white, pink, rose, and purple. Surrounded by collar of finely divided, feathery bracts creating misty appearance. Blooms late spring to summer (May-July). Each flower lasts 5-7 days
Hardy annual with upright, branching stems. Entire plant has delicate, fern-like appearance with finely dissected leaves. After flowering, inflated seed capsules develop with distinctive horned tips and maroon stripes. Self-seeds prolifically. Prefers cool weather, dislikes transplanting. Direct sow in fall or early spring
Grows 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) tall with 8-12 inch (20-30 cm) spread. Lifespan of one growing season (annual). Propagated from seed sown directly in garden (germinates in 10-15 days). Resents root disturbance. Self-sows readily for continuous display year after year
Native to southern Europe, North Africa, and southwestern Asia, particularly Mediterranean region and Middle East. Found in fields, waste ground, and rocky slopes. Cultivated in gardens worldwide since medieval times. Naturalized in some temperate regions
Requires full sun to partial shade (6+ hours sun preferred). Thrives in cool weather. Prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Drought tolerant once established. Dislikes heat and humidity - performs best in spring and fall. Hardy annual, tolerates light frost. Zones 2-11 as annual
Excellent for cottage gardens, cutting gardens, and wildflower meadows. Flowers and seed pods both valued for fresh and dried arrangements. Attracts bees and beneficial insects. Deer and rabbit resistant. Seeds aromatic, related to black cumin (N. sativa) but not typically used in cooking. Self-seeds freely

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificNigella damascena

English (Alternate)Devil-in-the-Bush, Ragged Lady, Fennel Flower, Jack-in-Prison, St. Katherine's Flower, Love-in-a-Puzzle

Hindiकलौंजी का फूल (Kalonji ka phool), निगेला (Nigella), प्रेम धुंध में (Prem Dhundh Mein)

Tamilகாதல் மூடுபனி (Kadhal Moodupani), கருஞ்சீரகப் பூ (Karunjeeraga Poo)

Teluguప్రేమ పొగమంచులో (Prema Pogamanchulo), నల్ల జీలకర పువ్వు (Nalla Jeelakara Puvvu)

Malayalamനീല കുരിശ് (Neela Kurish), മൂടൽമഞ്ഞിൽ സ്നേഹം (Moodalmanjil Sneham)

Kannadaಕರಿ ಜೀರಿಗೆ ಹೂವು (Kari Jeerige Hoovu), ಮಂಜಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರೀತಿ (Manjinalli Preeti)

Sanskritकृष्णजीरक पुष्पम् (Krishnajeera Pushpam), निगेल्ला (Nigella)

Bengaliকালোজিরা ফুল (Kalo Jira Phul), কুয়াশায় ভালোবাসা (Kuyashay Bhalobasha)

FrenchNigelle de Damas, Cheveux de Vénus, Diable dans le buisson

RussianЧернушка дамасская (Chernushka damasskaya), Любовь в тумане (Lyubov v tumane)

SpanishArañuela, Neguilla de Damasco, Amor en la niebla

GermanJungfer im Grünen, Schwarzkümmel, Damaszener Schwarzkümmel

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula

% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G₂

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.