Nigella damascena 'Miss Jekyll Sky Blue' – the classic blue-flowering Lady-in-the-Green

Anyone looking for an elegant, airy, and easy-to-grow annual garden plant will sooner or later come across Nigella damascena 'Miss Jekyll Sky Blue'. This variety of the beloved lady-in-the-mist is famous for its soft, bright blue flowers that float above a cloud of delicate, lacy foliage. The plant brings a natural, almost poetic look to any garden and has been a favorite in both cottage and modern borders for decades.

With its characteristic star-shaped petals, gracefully incised foliage, and airy growth habit, 'Miss Jekyll Sky Blue' is a striking eye-catcher from late spring into summer. Its transparent structure allows it to blend beautifully with other annuals, perennials, and ornamental grasses. Its subtle color and soft appearance create a sense of calm and cohesion, while simultaneously infusing it with playfulness and movement.

Growth and location – simple, reliable and profusely flowering

Nigella damascena 'Miss Jekyll Sky Blue' is ideal for gardeners who want high yields without complicated care. The plant prefers a sunny to lightly shaded location and grows best in airy, well-drained soil. Although it thrives in nutrient-rich soil, it also thrives in somewhat poorer garden soil, as long as it doesn't remain too wet.

Sow directly in the ground from March to May, but if you want to enjoy flowers sooner, you can sow indoors or in a cold frame in February or March. Cultivation is generally quick, and the young plants can be planted out after the last frost. Once established, Miss Jekyll Sky Blue requires little attention: occasional watering during dry periods and a light feed if necessary is sufficient.

Flowering usually begins in June and continues until August, especially when spent flowers are regularly removed. If you allow some of the plants to go to seed, Nigella will often self-seed – a nice bonus for next year.

Flowering and ornamental value – bright blue as a summer eye-catcher

The most distinctive feature of 'Miss Jekyll Sky Blue' is its radiant light blue flower color, which varies from a soft sky blue to slightly more intense shades depending on the soil and light. The flowers are surrounded by fine, threadlike leaves, as if floating in a cloud of green. This makes Nigella not only beautiful in the garden but also exceptionally suitable as a cut flower.

After flowering, decorative seed pods form – balloon-shaped, greenish-purple structures that are extremely popular in the world of dried flowers. They retain their shape and color during drying, making Nigella a valuable addition to bouquets, wreaths, and flower arrangements, both fresh and dried.

Garden use – natural, romantic and versatile

Nigella damascena 'Miss Jekyll Sky Blue' feels at home in:

• rural and cottage gardens

• natural flower meadows

• pick-your-own gardens and vegetable gardens

• pastel or blue-tone borders

• loose, informal planting

For a harmonious look, combine this Nigella with cosmos, cornflowers, aquilegia, sweet peas, California poppies, or ornamental grasses. The plant has a gentle character, but its unique color always stands out – subtle yet striking.