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

The 'Miss Jekyll White' is the pristine, elegant form of Love-in-a-mist. It produces clouds of pure white, spurred flowers that are entangled in fine, feathery green foliage. It is a vital plant for a "White Garden" or anywhere you need a luminous filler that catches the evening light.

This annual brings essential texture and movement, weaving its way between more rigid plants. As the white flowers fade, they transform into spectacular, inflated, pale green seed pods, striped with dark green. These distinctive pods are highly prized for winter arrangements and craft work.

Why Your Garden Needs 'Miss Jekyll White'

We love this plant because it creates a cooling effect in the garden. White amplifies light, making shady spots brighter and hot borders feel calmer. It looks incredibly fresh when contrasted with dark foliage or rich greens.

It is also indispensable for cutting. The flowers are delicate but last well in a vase, and the unique seed pods provide architectural interest that is perfect for both fresh arrangements and long-lasting dried displays.

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 for summer flowers, and sow a second batch in late autumn (September/October) 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. If you are growing them purely for the attractive seed pods, you must leave the flowers to fade naturally and allow the pods to cure on the stem before harvesting in autumn.

Plant Specifications

Here is a quick reference guide to the key features.

My Recommended Garden Companions

The pure white of Nigella is essential for creating high contrast and luminosity. Pair it with dark and detailed plants:

• ⚫ Hollyhock 'Nigra': For a dramatic black and white statement. The towering, deep chocolate-maroon spikes of the Hollyhock provide the perfect dark backdrop to make the luminous white Nigella glow.
• ✨ Linum 'Bright Eyes': For a delicate, detailed mix. The white petals of the Linum echo the Nigella's colour, but its dark red/black eye adds a complementary dark detail to the planting scheme.

📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

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

(↔️ Swipe chart to see all months)