Nigella Midnight

Nigella hispanica ‘Midnight’ is a striking and exotic-looking annual, celebrated for its deep violet-blue flowers with dark centres surrounded by delicate, ferny bracts and finely divided foliage. Blooming in early to mid-summer, its bold blooms are followed by ornamental seed pods, which are just as decorative as the flowers themselves. These seed capsules add sculptural interest to both fresh and dried arrangements, a versatile choice for floral design. Harvest flowers when 75% open or the seedpods when formed.

In the garden, Nigella ‘Midnight’ brings bold colour and airy texture to cottage-style borders, wildflower plantings and cutting gardens. Growing to 45–60 cm, it provides vertical interest without crowding, and its nectar-rich flowers are popular with bees and other pollinators.

Direct sow into the garden or if starting indoors, stratify seed by chilling in the fridge for 2-3 weeks prior to sowing. Plants typically flower 10–12 weeks after sowing. For a longer display, sow in succession every 2–3 weeks. Nigella thrives in full sun and prefers free-draining soil. It is drought-tolerant once established and rarely troubled by pests or disease.