‘Transformer’ Yellow Fennel Flower Is a Showy Annual

At a glance , the most commonly grown passion - in - a - mist ( Nigelladamascenaand cvs . , annual ) is just a charming littlecottage gardenannual , with spidery foliation and whirligig peak in pastel subtlety of blue , pinkish , and snowy . But look a little closer and you ’ll see how round the bend they really are , like jellyfish in tutus doing headstands . Theirseedpodsare just as compelling — balloon - like and often striped with purple , surrounded by a batting cage of needle - like foliage . Fascinating !

You ’d think that the genusNigellacouldn’t get any more interesting than that , but then ‘ Transformer ’ yellowed fennel bloom comes along . This even - more - otherworldlyNigellasets the degree with five orotund citron - icteric sepals top with a minuscule stratum of burgundy - band petals . Then thing get really wild with a ruff of brusque chartreuse filaments with yellow anthers and a fountain of unripened , long - beaked ovaries . The first peak to seem in our examination garden last summer almost cash in one’s chips unnoticed , but once we blob it , we were transfixed .

‘ Transformer ’ acquire tall and a act more upright than others in the genusNigella , and its subtle color might get lost in the ocean of a interracial bed if not given a prominent spot . But that ’s o.k. , because these blooms , birth on straight stems , are really meant for cutting . In a vase , up close and personal , is where they get the most extolment and attention . in truth , you would expect to see Captain Kirk give a bouquet of these blooms to his latest comely conquest on some faraway alien humans . Left to suppurate on the works , the seed heads that come after the flowers are a captivating fluted roofy of reflexed , spiked wings , like zany royal court motley fool ’ hat . They are marvelous both novel and dried , when they fade to ivory .

In a garden bed , ‘ Transformer ’ is a stunning companion to honeywort ( Cerinthemajor‘Purpurascens ’ , annual ) andornamental grasses , while in a vase it acts as a fascinating filler with any big - flowered zinnias ( Zinniaelegans and cvs . , one-year ) and as an unexpectedly perfect partner to improbable verbena ( Verbenabonariensisand CV . , Zones 7–11 ) .

This genus dislikes take root disturbance , so direct - sow seed in other fountain . They may take up to three weeks to germinate , but their seedling are easygoing to recognize , so they wo n’t get lose among former springtime weeds . Thin the seedling to 9 to 12 column inch apart , and piddle occasionally once established . They do n’t mind skimpy , sandy soil , but they wo n’t begrudge a bit of fertilizing either . They will begin to blossom two to three month subsequently . Cutting stems for fragrancy encourage more to comply , while leaving some peak to suppurate to dry out seedpod on the plant encourages ego - sowing .

‘Transformer’ yellow fennel flower

Nigella orientalis‘Transformer’

Zones : Annual

condition : Full sunlight ; well - run out soil

Native range : Mediterranean , western Asia

Michelle Gervais is the plantsman , editor , photographer , and resident seed - sow fiend at John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds in Bantam , Connecticut . She is the author ofDesign - Your - Garden Toolkit : Visualize the Perfect Plant Combinations for Your Yard .

Sources

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