Botanical Name: Nigella hispanica
Family: Ranunculaceae
Native: Southwest Europe and Northern Africa
Hardiness: Annual
Plant Dimensions: 18"–36" tall
Variety Information: 1" wide, white petals with deep purple to burgundy pistils and stamens
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Period: Summer to fall
Attributes: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flower, Drought Tolerant
When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date. For continual bloom, sow every 2 to 4 weeks after initial sowing until midsummer. Also sow in early fall for very early spring bloom.
When to Start Inside: Not recommended; seedlings are sensitive to transplant disturbance.
Days to Emerge: 10–15 days
Seed Depth: Barely cover
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 8"
Thinning: When 1' tall thin to every 8"
Harvesting: For longest vase life, harvest flowers in the morning when fully open. For dried pods, let seed pods form, then clip and hang upside down in a warm, dry location out of bright light, for about 2 weeks.
