With its fine feathery leaves that are very similar to dill and the eye-catching, mostly blue flowers, the delicately appearing maiden in the green (Nigella damascena) is a real feast for the eyes in every summer flower border. In fact, the delicate beauty – which is also called “Gretchen in the bush” or “Damascus caraway” in some regions – has been cultivated in German cottage gardens for many centuries. Once sown, the maiden in the green multiplies all by itself by sowing itself again and again.
When and how is the maiden sowed in the green?
The maiden in the green is sown directly outdoors, either in March/April or between the beginning of May and the end of June. Prepare the soil well, sow the seeds widely and press them lightly. Germination takes about 10 to 20 days.
The optimal location for the maiden in the countryside
The undemanding maiden in the green thrives in almost all garden soils, provided it is as sunny as possible. The sunnier and drier the location, the more beautiful and lush the flowers will ultimately be. A humus-rich, moderately nutrient-rich and rather dry soil is ideal, and the plant also prefers warm summers. In rather damp and cool early summers, it can happen that the buds wither and the maiden in the green does not bloom.
Sowing young plants directly outdoors
Sowing the maiden in the green is actually very simple:
- Sow the maiden in the green in March / April.
- Sowing is still possible between the beginning of May and the end of June.
- Sowing is carried out on carefully prepared and well-loosened soil.
- The earth crumbs are crumbled as finely as possible.
- Spread the seeds widely
- and press it lightly.
- Sow at several times, two to three weeks apart,
- because then you can enjoy the flowers for longer.
- The seeds germinate within 10 to 20 days.
- Split the seedlings to a distance of approx. 10 centimeters.
Sowing in autumn
In addition, sowing is possible as early as September, although these specimens will bloom particularly early. Ensure a longer flowering period by re-sowing in spring. If self-sowing is not desired, the seed capsules must be removed in good time.
Virgin in the countryside doesn't need much care
Otherwise, the maiden in the countryside requires no further care, apart from additional watering during prolonged dry periods. Fertilization or pruning is usually not necessary either. The first flowers appear eight to ten weeks after sowing.
Tip
The dried seed heads of the maiden in the green are wonderfully suitable for dry bouquets, for example in combination with wildflowers and grasses.
