Nigella hispanica
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Description
Nigella hispanica Spanish Love-in-a-Mist / Spanish Fennel Flower
The bigger, taller, more dramatic Spanish cousin of the classic Miss Jekyll — open star-shaped flowers in a deep intense shade of royal violet-blue, centred with a cluster of prominent burgundy stamens. After the petals fall, the architectural seed pods top themselves with spreading "horns" like a jester's hat — providing two genuinely distinct seasons of garden interest from a single packet.
If you find the classic pastel Nigella a little too subtle, Nigella hispanica is the upgrade you need. This Spanish variety is larger, taller (up to 75cm) and far more striking than its more familiar cousin. It produces open star-shaped flowers in a deep, intense shade of royal violet-blue, centred with a cluster of prominent burgundy stamens — far more visually arresting than the semi-double Miss Jekyll types. The drama continues after the petals fall: the seed pods are magnificent, large, green, and topped with spreading "horns" that look exactly like a jester's hat. These pods are highly architectural, standing tall in the border well into autumn and drying beautifully for winter arrangements. Hardy annual. Slightly more robust than common Nigella damascena, with broader leaves and thicker stems. Generous self-seeder.
A note on growing
Like all Nigellas, direct sow only. Sow direct outdoors in September for stronger autumn-sown plants the following year, or March–May for summer blooms. Scatter onto raked soil and cover lightly. Germination 14–21 days.
Full sun in well-drained soil. Like its damascena cousin, hispanica prefers lean ground — don't feed. The longer stronger stems of hispanica make it particularly outstanding for cutting; cut generously and often, which encourages the plant to produce more side shoots and prolongs flowering.
Where it shines
In cottage borders as the dramatic blue Nigella — the deep royal violet-blue and burgundy-stamen centres create proper visual impact that the softer Miss Jekyll types can't match. In the cutting garden as the most useful Nigella for cut-flower arranging — the longer stronger stems and the dramatic colour suit modern romantic cottage bouquets exceptionally well. As an architectural autumn plant — the "jester's hat" seed pods are among the most distinctive seed-pod features in any cottage garden. Pairs particularly well with Miss Jekyll types for layered season interest — hispanica flowers slightly later than damascena, extending the Nigella season.
Plant alongside
For a vibrant cottage cutting combination, pair N. hispanica with Cosmos 'Sensation Dazzler' — the deep crimson Cosmos pairs beautifully with the royal blue Nigella, and both are airy informal plants that mingle well in a border. For dried-flower harvesting, combine with Briza Maxima (Quaking Grass) — the locket-shaped seed heads of the grass complement the architectural jester-hat seed pods of hispanica: a genuine match made in dried-flower heaven. Plant alongside the classic Miss Jekyll types for layered season interest and contrasting flower forms.
Delivery
The seeds will be dispatched direct to you by Bishy Barnabees. Please allow up to 5 days for delivery.
Delivery & Returns
Delivery:
Delivery to mainland UK is calculated at checkout. For all other areas and large orders please ask for a quote. Orders will be sent by express next day delivery (DPD). They will be dispatched on a next working day service, with the exception of Ireland where it may take two days. Please allow up to 48 hours for delivery in the UK as the couriers may have already been and collected on the day you send your order in. Smaller orders for pouches, pockets, bags and pots may be sent via Royal Mail delivery. Please ensure you supply an email address and a mobile so you can be updated about your delivery. Should you have any problems with your delivery, please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk.Special Deliveries
Saturday or weekday morning deliveries can be arranged, but there will be a surcharge. Please contact us to request a price for either of these delivery services. If you need a parcel sending outside of the UK, please contact us for a quote.Returns:
If you are not completely happy with any product that you have ordered from us, you may return it to us in its original condition any time within 14 calendar days from the date of dispatch. Products must be returned in their original condition. Please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk to arrange a return. If you return a product by post, you will need to pay the costs of returning the product to us and obtain proof of posting.
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Slow release for sustained growth
Organic fertilisers are broken down slowly by organisms in the soil to produce a more measured, consistent, natural release of nutrients. This results in uniform growth with strong stems and leaves, unlike chemical fertilisers which provide a sudden boost resulting in tall lanky plants. Stronger plants are more resistant to disease, and with the presence of mycorrizhal fungi to strengthen the roots, the plants, soil and fungi all work together long-term to create the perfect natural eco-system.
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