Garden Lace

Day 272: If you've ever grown Nigella, you'll understand where it came by the common name of Love-in-a-mist. The flowers are enfolded by a lacework of fern-like leaves which curl even more tightly around the seed-pods as they mature and swell. A delight for dried-flower enthusiasts, the red markings on the pods last for years. Nigella may be left in the garden to self-sow, or if you have pods left over from arrangements, crush them and toss the seeds into your garden in the spring. Even after two years, some seeds will retain their viability. There's no reason to be without Love-in-a-mist!