Nigellas in Barrack Hill
Nigella damascena
A hardy annual grown from direct sowing in the UK. It does best in open, sunny ground with free-draining soil, and it often self-seeds if you leave some flower heads to mature.
Growing Guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Nigella
Planting Calendar
Sow Seeds
5 Feb – 2 Aprevery 3 weeksSow thinly around 5th February - 2nd April on finely raked, weed-free soil. Cover with a light depth of , then keep the seedbed just moist until seedlings appear. Sow a fresh batch every 21 days if you want a longer run of flowers.
Thin Seedlings
19 Mar – 2 AprWhen seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them to apart. Do it gently, because crowded plants make fewer flowers and weak stems.
Feed and Water
4 Apr – 25 NovFrom 4th April, water only in dry spells and avoid overfeeding, which gives soft growth and fewer blooms. A light mulch helps the soil hold moisture without making the plants lush.
Deadhead Flowers
4 May – 25 NovStart picking and deadheading from 4th May to keep the plants flowering for longer. Cut stems regularly for the vase, and leave a few seed heads if you want self-seeding.
Harvest Seed Heads
3 Jun – 25 NovCollect ripe seed heads from 3rd June once they have dried and turned papery. Hang them indoors to finish drying, then shake out the seed for sowing next year.
Companion Plants
Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Nigella.
Good companions
Plants to avoid
Why companion planting matters
Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.
Suggested Varieties
Popular varieties of Nigella to consider
Miss Jekyll
Classic blue flowers with finely cut foliage and a loose, airy habit.
Persian Jewels
Mixed colours on compact plants, useful for bedding and cutting.
Transformer
Grown more for the striped seed pods than the flowers, with a neat habit.
Related Plants
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Basil is a fragrant, tender herb whose leaves are a staple of summer cooking. Native to tropical regions, basil is treated as an annual in temperate climates like the UK because it cannot tolerate frost. It thrives in warm, sunny conditions and can be grown in garden beds or pots for a steady supply of fresh, flavourful leaves throughout the summer.
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a hardy winter brassica (cabbage family) that form sturdy, leafy stems often around 60–90cm tall. They produce edible mini-cabbage buds along the stem from autumn through winter. Thanks to their cold tolerance, sprouts remain productive into late winter, and frost actually improves their sweetness.
Calabrese
Calabrese (broccoli) produces a large central head of tightly-packed green buds, followed by smaller side-shoots after the main head is cut. It’s a cool-season brassica crop. Grow it in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and keep plants watered during dry spells. Harvest the heads while firm, then leave the stem in the ground to allow side-shoots to develop.