Nigella damascena 'Miss Jekyll White' – pure white and refined as lace

Within the beloved Nigella , Nigella damascena 'Miss Jekyll White' holds a special place. While its sisters are known for soft blue or pink hues, this cultivar enchants with its snow-white, brilliantly radiant blooms. The delicate, star-like flowers seem to float in a cloud of fine, lacy foliage—precisely why the plant is commonly called the lady-in-the-middle.

With its pure color, 'Miss Jekyll White' exudes tranquility, elegance, and timeless beauty. In a border bursting with color, it has a soothing and unifying effect; in a garden with a variety of pastel and natural shades, it brings light, freshness, and harmony. This variety is beloved by gardeners, floral designers, and insects alike, as both bees and butterflies love to feast on its nectar.

Growth habit and location – strong, easy and reliable

Like other Nigella varieties, 'Miss Jekyll White' is an annual known for its simplicity and prolific flowering. Even novice gardeners can easily enjoy a long, exuberant blooming period. Sow directly in the ground from March to May, or sow early in February or March under glass for a head start.

The plant prefers a sunny to partially shaded location and thrives in airy, well-drained soil. It prefers overly wet soil, but otherwise, the plant is relatively undemanding. It grows readily, branches beautifully, and reaches an average height of 40–60 cm. Its vertical, airy habit makes it a perfect complement to other plants.

Flowering usually begins in June and continues into August. If spent flowers are regularly removed, the plant will continue to produce new buds. If you allow some flowers to go to seed, there's a chance that Nigella will self-seed, causing it to spontaneously return the following season.

Pure white flowers – subtle yet impressive

The charm of Nigella damascena 'Miss Jekyll White' lies in its simplicity: bright white petals, a graceful habit, and airy green foliage that seems to dance around the flower like lace. The color fits effortlessly into modern, classic, and natural gardens. Combined with pink or blue varieties, a soft, romantic color palette is created, while brighter shades create a dramatic contrast.

Besides its ornamental value in the garden, Miss Jekyll White is also excellent as a cut flower. In bouquets, it creates a refreshing, airy, and elegant look. But perhaps even more beloved are the decorative seed pods that appear after flowering. These round, balloon-shaped structures retain their shape and color after drying and are often incorporated into dried bouquets, wreaths, and flower arrangements.

Garden application – versatile and refined

Nigella 'Miss Jekyll White' is beautifully portrayed in:

• cottage gardens with natural color gradient

• romantic borders with white and pastel shades

• natural flower meadows and picking gardens

• vegetable garden borders and informal planting

• bouquet and cut flower gardens

For beautiful combinations, it can be planted with cosmos, sweet peas, sweet williams, cornflowers, ornamental grasses, or California poppies. In a completely white border, it creates a soft, diffused light – perfect for evening gardens where white really stands out.