Nigella 'Miss Jekyll Blue' Seeds (Love-in-a-mist)

While the mixed packet is wonderful, the 'Miss Jekyll Blue' is the pure, highly sought-after strain of Love-in-a-mist. It produces clouds of true sky-blue, spurred flowers that are tangled in a fine, feathery green haze. It is the perfect colour for a calming, cool-toned cottage garden.

This annual brings essential movement and softness to a flower bed. It weaves itself between more rigid plants, and, as the flowers fade, they transform into spectacular, balloon-like seed pods striped with dark green. These pods are an essential element for professional dried winter arrangements.

Why Your Garden Needs 'Miss Jekyll Blue'

We love this plant because blue is the most soothing colour in the garden, and this true azure shade is hard to find. It pairs brilliantly with soft pinks, pure whites, and yellows, amplifying the colour of everything around it.

It is also a fantastic "double crop" plant. You get the beauty of the flowers in summer, and then, without needing to lift a finger, you get the unique, architectural seed pods which are invaluable for autumn and winter decorations.

Understanding the Plant: What is a Hardy Annual?

Nigella is a classic Hardy Annual.

This means it lives for one season, is tough enough to handle frost, and must be direct-sown.
The Strategy: Nigella dislikes root disturbance (like a taproot plant). For the best display, sow a generous quantity directly where you want them to flower.
Top Tip: Sow twice! Sow a batch in early spring (March/April) for summer flowers, and sow a second batch in late autumn (September) for very early, strong blooms the following May.

Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

This is arguably the easiest hardy annual to grow from seed.

🌱 Germination:
Sow directly outdoors from March to May, or in Autumn. Scatter seeds shallowly (5mm deep). They germinate quickly and reliably in 7-14 days in cool soil.

Where to Sow:
They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged conditions. Their airy structure means they can be sown quite densely for a thicker, hazy effect.

Care While Growing:
The plant requires no staking. To get the best possible seed pods for drying, you must pick the flowers when they are still vibrant and hang them upside down in a dark, dry space to allow the pods to cure.

Plant Specifications

Here is a quick reference guide to the key features.

My Recommended Garden Companions

The soft blue of Nigella is essential for a calming, harmonious border. Pair it with whites and soft blues for the best effect:

• 💙 Linum Perenne (Blue Flax): Double down on the azure mist. The delicate, true-blue perennial Flax weaves perfectly through the lower foliage of the Nigella, creating a beautiful, airy base layer.
• ❄️ Gypsophila 'Covent Garden': For a classic blue-and-white bouquet. The frothy white clouds of Gypsophila soften the entire planting and make the sharp blue colour of the Nigella look even more intense.

📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

Sow directly outdoors in spring (succession sow for continuous flowers).

(↔️ Swipe chart to see all months)