Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Nigella damascena L.

Fully hardy, readily self-seeding annual with finely divided bright green foliage, bearing pale blue flowers surrounded by a ruff of foliage in early spring to summer.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘Is an annual, and grows wild among the corn in the southern parts of Europe; varies with white and blue flowers, both single and double.’  [BM t.22/1787].  Very common in the Victorian cottage garden.  [Don].  Introduced to Britain in 1570.  [JD].

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1845, 1850 and 1857 catalogues [H.157/1845].

Notes

Published Feb 05, 2009 - 02:56 PM | Last updated Mar 05, 2010 - 09:30 AM

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Depicted are the ferny leaves and sky blue flowers surrounded by a cluster of leaves. Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.22, 1787.

Nigella damascena L. | BM t.22/1787 | BHL

Family Ranunculaceae
Category
Region of origin

Southern Europe, north Africa
Synonyms
Common Name

Love-in-a-mist, Devil-in-a-bush
Name in the Camden Park Record

Nigella damascena 
Confidence level high