Nigella orientalis

‘Transformer’

TRANSFORMER NIGELLA

Nigella orientalis ‘Transformer’
TRANSFORMER NIGELLA

Nigella orientalis ‘Transformer’ has unique & lovely blooms. Because they are of an unusual yellow-green, and a very distinct shape.
So they are quite different to the more commonly known Nigella damascena or Love-in-the-Mist.
Then when the fabulous and unusual seed pods develop – you really know you have a different and special Nigella on your hands.

Intriguing flowers & pods are commercial quality cut flowers 

Blooms of ‘Transformer’  are lovely for cut flowers.
But it is the intriguing seed pods that professional florists will sell their teeth to get.
Florists can use the seed pods for both fresh and dried floral arrangements.
While the ferny foliage has the same fine, feathery, misty quality that gives the common name of Love-in-the-Mist to the whole family.

Interest all summer with flowers, foliage & pods

Nigella orientalis makes a magnificent garden display when it is planted in drifts, giving interest for all the summer months with flowers, foliage and seed pods.

Quick & easy from seed

Fortunately it is very quick and easy to grow from seed, and once you have a drift established it will quite happily self-sow from one year to the next.
And the more flowers you cut, the more prolifically it will bloom. So make sure you cut armloads, but then late in the season leave some stems to cast their seed for next year.

Water-wise ‘Transformer’

Plant Nigella orientalis ‘Transformer’ in Full Sun. Though it can also tolerate some shade for part of the day if needed, providing it is not damp shade.
It is considered a good choice for water-wise gardeners, and requires minimal extra water support.
‘Transformer’ grows in rocky places and is ideal where the soil is a little on the dry side and not too rich.

Self sowing for next year

While ‘Transformer’s more commonly grown cousin, Nigella damascena, is popular as a herb herb and for seed in cooking, ‘Transformer’ seeds are also edible. ‘Transformer’ seeds are sometimes used to pad out pepper in condiments.

Self-sowing annual.
60cm. High in flower x 30cm. Wide of ferny, pretty foliage.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY

Sow Nigella orientalis indoors in punnets at any time / or scatter seed directly in garden in spring or autumn.

INDOORS: Sow seed on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then press gently into the surface of the mix.
And barely cover the seeds with sieved mix / grit / sand, as these seeds germinate better with light.

Now moisten the punnet thoroughly by placing in a shallow water-bath and letting the moisture percolate through to the surface of the mix from the bottom.

Finally place in warm, well-lit position (not in direct sun).
Good light levels help germination.

Continue to keep moist by misting from a spray water bottle.

Temperatures of 15-20°C approx. are best for rapid and optimum germination.

Seeds germinate in 21 days approx.

SEED COUNT: 100 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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