Delft Blue, Nigella Seed

Delft Blue Love-in-a-Mist Seed

Porcelain-blue markings create painterly white flowers
Fine foliage surrounds the delicate patterned blooms
Decorative seedpods extend the cutting season
A refined choice for artistic garden bouquets

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Nigella papillosa

Days to maturity

65 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

250 Seeds

About Delft Blue, Love-in-a-Mist Seed, Love-in-a-Mist Seed

Delft Blue Love-in-a-Mist produces intricate double blooms in a distinctive deep blue above airy, finely cut foliage. Compact, upright plants reach about 12–18 inches tall and bloom from late spring into early summer. This elegant variety is well suited to beds, borders, containers, and cut-flower arrangements. Grow in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil for delicate texture and striking color in the garden.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/8"

Days to Germination

7–14 days

Germination Type

M - Fall Sow Recommended

In-row plant spacing

9-12"

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

36 inches

Growth Habits

Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

5,000

Color

Blue

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Before Planting

For Love-in-a-Mist, select a full-sun site with well-drained soil and good air circulation. Remove perennial weeds, loosen compacted ground, and incorporate modest compost without making the bed overly rich. Prepare a fine, firm seedbed. Plan a fall or winter sowing so natural seasonal conditions support germination.

Planting

Love-in-a-Mist may be direct-sown in early spring, and many types also perform well from fall or winter sowing. Keep the surface evenly moist until seedlings establish, taking care not to bury light-requiring seed. Indoor starts need bright light and cool conditions. Thin direct-sown seedlings after true leaves appear, or transplant carefully before roots become crowded.

Watering

Love-in-a-Mist needs consistent moisture during establishment but tolerates moderate dryness afterward. Water deeply during prolonged drought, allowing the upper soil to dry between applications.

Fertilizer

Love-in-a-Mist needs only moderate feeding. Use diluted balanced fertilizer during active growth, following label rates and limiting nitrogen so plants remain compact and flower freely.

Harvesting

Harvest love-in-a-mist as buds begin opening or when blooms reach full color, depending on intended use. Cut above a branching point, place stems in water promptly, and remove spent flowers regularly.

Tips

Remove faded love-in-a-mist blooms before seed forms to encourage continued flowering. Shear lightly if plants become leggy, and protect containers from drying faster than garden beds.

Pests & Diseases

Love-in-a-mist may develop damping-off, powdery mildew, Botrytis, or leaf spots. Direct sowing reduces transplant injury, but crowded seedlings should still be thinned. Remove gray-molded pods instead of drying them, and collect seed only from clean capsules after several dry days.

Monitor love-in-a-mist for aphids, thrips, mites, beetles, slugs, and chewing caterpillars. Remove badly infested growth, use physical controls first, and apply labeled treatments outside pollinator-active hours.