When to plant Nigella in Bristol

Nigella damascena

Nigella
Nigella · Nigella damascena

A hardy annual grown from direct sowing in the UK. It does best in open, sunny ground with free-draining soil. It often self-seeds if you leave some flower heads to mature.

45 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Bristol · last frost ≈ 19 Apr

Sow outdoors September to October, harvest June to September. Frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Growing guide for

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Sow once in free-draining soil for flowers next year. Protect young seedlings only when hard frost is due.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds

    14 Sept to 12 Oct

    Sow thinly during 14th September - 12th October on finely raked, weed-free soil where the plants are to flower. Cover with . Keep the seedbed lightly moist until seedlings appear. This is one sowing, not a run of batches.

  2. 02

    Thin Seedlings

    12 Oct to 23 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Thin during 12th October - 23rd November, leaving the strongest plants apart. Take out surplus seedlings carefully so nearby roots are not disturbed.

  3. 03

    Feed and Water

    14 Oct to 27 Sept 2027 Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    From 14th October to 27th September 2027, water in dry spells once growth restarts. Cover young plants with fleece only if hard frost is due. Take it off in mild weather.

  4. 04

    Deadhead Flowers

    2 May to 7 Oct 2027 Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Flowers open next year, from 2nd May 2027 through 7th October 2027. Pick and deadhead fading flowers. Leave a few heads if you want seed.

  5. 05

    Harvest Seed Heads

    21 Jun to 7 Sept 2027 Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Collect seed next year, from 21st June 2027 through 7th September 2027, once the heads are dry and papery. Hang them indoors to finish drying, then shake out the seed.

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.

Nigella guides by town

See how Nigella timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.