Nigella

[GardenGeisha]

I bought some 'Chocolate Sundae' nigella seeds the other day. Is this the wrong time of year to plant them? They need some cool weather; right? Could I plant them in the early fall, or would early next spring be best?

I'm trying to come up with something to plant on a kitten's grave that will reliably reseed. I've had good luck with blue nigella reseeding in other places. The grave stays pretty dry (raised) and is partly shaded.

I planted some 'Baby Blue Eyes' campanula there last fall, but it didn't like the location and has died out. I planted larkspur seeds there last year and they bloomed beautifully last summer. I planted larkspur again this spring, but I haven't seen any sign of them. Might they still come up and bloom later in the summer?

Sweet peas don't do well there. I planted some last year and they bloomed but were scrawny.

Some hollyhocks bloomed on the grave this summer.

I have catmint planted there that I'm trying to protect because the neighborhood cats love to come over and eat it.

The kitten died at 9 months of age. I wonder how bachelor's buttons would do on his grave?

 

[digitS']

I think bachelor buttons may be a good choice, GardenGeisha. They seem to do quite well all on their own around here but their bloom season is short & early.

Tried to remember to get a picture of the nigella in my garden yesterday but with the thunderstorm while I was out there - forgot. Just wanted you to know that there are others who like to have it around. I've never planted it in the fall but have used that approach for its cousin, larkspur. It seemed that I lost all but the purple out of a mix by doing that. The pink & white didn't show up, or not in any numbers, anyway.

I don't really have an answer for you. It is good to think that you are tending this little grave & trying to come up with something attractive for it. Your hot, dry climate may make it difficult. The shade doesn't necessarily make it easier to grow a flowering plant. I wonder if a buttercup would be a good choice . . .

Steve

 

[GardenGeisha]

Thanks, Steve. I think I will try bachelor's buttons there. I'm happy to report the catmint is coming back. There are some small plants that might be Sweet William. I don't think they'll bloom until next year. The cherry red hollyhock was pretty and there are baby hollyhocks. I hope they survive the winter and bloom next year.