Love-in-a-Mist

Love-in-a-mist is a bushy, upright annual with feathery, bright green foliage and saucer-shaped flowers. Its flowers are usually blue, though white, pink and lavender forms also appear. It grows 15 to 24 inches (38 to 61 cm) tall and up to about a foot (30 cm) wide when it is not crowded. The plant comes from northern Africa and southern Europe, and its lacy green bracts form the mist around each bloom.

Sow seed where the plants are to grow, because love-in-a-mist does not transplant well due to its long taproot. Fall sowing is usually better than spring sowing, since the young seedlings are winter-hardy. Seeds can also be sown in mid-spring or autumn, and autumn-sown plants may need winter protection such as a cold frame or cloche. Start sowing as soon as the soil can be worked in early spring.

Sowing depth. Sow about ⅛ inch (0.3 cm) deep. Cover the seed very lightly with soil, because light is needed for germination.

Germination. Seeds should sprout within 2 to 3 weeks in most conditions. Germination is listed as 10 to 14 days at 60 to 65 °F (16 to 18 °C).

Thinning and light. Plant in full sun. Thin the seedlings to 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) apart once they are large enough to handle.

Succession and bloom. For flowers all summer, make new sowings every three weeks. Plants usually begin blooming about three months after planting.

Plants do best in consistent moisture and well-drained soil, though they tolerate most soil types. Deadheading prolongs flowering but also removes the decorative seed pods. The plant readily self-sows; thin volunteer seedlings while they are small if they crowd neighbors.

No known diseases or insect pests are reported, and the plant is generally pest-free and disease-free. It does not perform well in hot weather.

Cut flowers last longer when the leaves are removed from the lower part of the stem. Harvest seed pods while their stripes are still visible, then hang them upside down in a dry, dark, airy place to dry.