Miss Jekyll Mix Love-in-a-Mist arranged on a white background.
Love-In-A-Mist Seeds, Miss Jekyll Mix
A gardener&
A woman holding a handful of Miss Jekyll Mix Love-In-A-Mist flowers in the gardens at Baker Creek.
Pollinators enjoy Miss Jekyll Mix Love-In-A-Mist flowers in the garden at Baker Creek.
Miss Jekyll Mix Love-In-A-Mist flowers in an English garden basket with watch faces on a copper background.
An overhead view of Miss Jekyll Mix Love-In-A-Mist flowers growing in the trial gardens at Baker Creek.
Miss Jekyll Mix Love-in-a-Mist arranged on a white background.
Love-In-A-Mist Seeds, Miss Jekyll Mix
A gardener&
A woman holding a handful of Miss Jekyll Mix Love-In-A-Mist flowers in the gardens at Baker Creek.
Pollinators enjoy Miss Jekyll Mix Love-In-A-Mist flowers in the garden at Baker Creek.
Miss Jekyll Mix Love-In-A-Mist flowers in an English garden basket with watch faces on a copper background.
An overhead view of Miss Jekyll Mix Love-In-A-Mist flowers growing in the trial gardens at Baker Creek.

Love-In-A-Mist Seeds,
Miss Jekyll Mix

4.616 ReviewsSKU: #FL221
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Min. 200 seeds

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Description

The legend of one of history’s greatest garden designers has been forever crystallized in this stunning Nigella variety. Gertrude Jekyll is famous for her painterly garden designs, but few know that she was also a highly accomplished plant breeder! Jekyll bred this gorgeous love-in-a-mist variety, and it remains a gardener’s and cut flower grower’s favorite. Foliage is like filigree; star-like blooms are like smoky gems in mellow jewel tones of rose, sky blue, dark blue, and alabaster white. An old standard that is still among the very finest late-spring flowering plants.

Growing Tips: Start indoors 4-8 weeks before last frost or sow outdoors after frost. Sow in fine, moist soil, and cover lightly.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Nigella damascena
Life Cycle
Hardy Annual
Sun Requirement
Full sun
Days to Germinate
10–21
Days to Maturity
65–75
Planting Depth
⅛ in.
Plant Spacing
8 in.
Ideal Temperature
50–75°F
Frost Hardy
Yes

Growing Guide

When to Grow

Miss Jekyll Mix is best direct sown, going into the ground after the last chance of frost has passed, though you can also start it indoors 4-6 weeks before your last frost date. Cover the seed with about 1/8 inch of fine soil, since it germinates best in darkness; the ideal germination temperature is 60-65 F and seedlings appear in 10-21 days. Plants reach maturity in about 65-75 days. Succession sow every 2 to 3 weeks through spring only, stopping once hot weather sets in; this hardy annual takes light frost, so in mild-winter areas sowing can start in late winter, and a fall sowing there gives earlier spring bloom.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Seeds germinate in 7-14 days.
  • Plants are best direct sown but can be started indoors ahead of time.
  • Sow indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost or direct seed after last chance of frost has passed.
  • Succession plant every 3 weeks throughout the summer for a longer season of blooms.
  • Surface sow seeds and cover with a thin layer of soil.
  • Ideal germination temperature is 60-65 F.

How to Grow

  • Plants prefer full sun.
  • They are not picky about soil fertility, as they naturally grow in poor soil, but it must be well drained.
  • Space plants 4-6 inches apart (the more space they have, the longer their bloom season will last!).
  • Keep plants deadheaded to encourage continued blooming.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Love-In-A-Mist does not have any notable pest or disease problems.

How to Save Seeds

  • Plants will reseed in the garden readily, but you can also save seed for next season.
  • Allow the flowerhead containing the seeds to completely mature and dry on the plant, then clip off the flowerhead and place in a container.
  • Working over the top of another clean, opened container, pop the flowerheads, breaking free the aromatic, small black seeds from their pods.
  • The small, blackish seeds can be separated from the chaff by first screening and then winnowing.
  • Allow seeds to dry down for 7 days and store over winter in a cool, dark, dry place.

FAQ

Who was the Miss Jekyll this mix is named for?

Gertrude Jekyll, one of history’s greatest garden designers. She is famous for her painterly garden designs, but few know she was also a highly accomplished plant breeder — she bred this love-in-a-mist, and it is still a favorite of gardeners and cut flower growers. Nigella is a Mediterranean native that she popularized as a cottage garden staple.

What colors are in the Miss Jekyll Mix?

The star-like blooms come in mellow jewel tones of rose, sky blue, dark blue, and alabaster white, set against filigree foliage. It is among the very finest late-spring flowering plants, and the flowers are visited by bees.

How do I get the longest cutting season out of it?

Give the plants room - about 8 inches apart - because the more space they have, the longer their bloom season lasts. Deadhead to keep new buds coming, and sow a fresh succession every 2 to 3 weeks through spring, stopping once hot weather sets in. First flowers come about 65-75 days from sowing. Soil fertility is not important, since Nigella naturally grows in poor ground, but it must be well drained.

Customer reviews

4.6 / 5 16 Reviews

What gardeners are saying

  • Otherworldly blooms: Intricate, misty flowers in mixed jewel tones.

  • Easy direct sow: Scatter in spring or fall; comes up even in poor soil.

  • Self-sows and returns: Decorative seed pods drop seed for next year's patch.

  • Heads up: Blooms are small, and first-year plants can be slow to flower.

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