The summer-flowering plant combines simplicity with elegance in a unique way and becomes a charming eye-catcher in the garden. The maiden in the green – with the Latin name Nigella damascena – is an oriental beauty that has been native to Europe for centuries. The plant amazes with delicate leaves and shapely flowers, it does not require any extensive care and looks excellent in a vase. We have summarized everything you need to know about being a virgin in the countryside for you in this article.
Maiden in the countryside at a glance
- German name: Maiden in the green, Venus-haired, Gretl in the perennials
- Botanical name: Nigella damascena
- Genus: Black cumin (Nigelia)
- Family: Buttercup family
- Origin: Mediterranean region, now native to all of Europe
- Growth habit: Upright, slightly bushy
- Flower shape: Simple, cultivated forms with semi-double or double flowers
- Flower size and color: 2 – 3 cm, white, pink, blue, blue-violet
- Leaves: Filigree, hair-shaped
- Hardy: No
- Perennial: No
- Flowering time: June – September
- Fruit: 2 – 3 cm large capsule fruit
- Growth height: 50 – 80 cm
- Location: Sunny to partially shaded
- Floor: Loose, moderately moist, loamy, gravelly
- Use: Ornamental plant, used in small quantities as a spice
- Toxicity: Slightly toxic
- Insect friendly: Yes, bee and butterfly friendly
What kind of plant is maiden in the green?
If you want to enhance your garden with a flowering plant that looks beautiful and at the same time does not require any special care, then the Maiden in the Green is a suitable choice!
The maiden in the green – in Latin Nigelia damascena – is a herbaceous, annual summer-flowering plant from the black cumin family. It is a wild plant that is now native to Europe and has long since found its way into our gardens.
Where does the maiden in the green come from?
The nickname “damascena” refers to Syria's capital Damascus and thus to the origin of the maiden in the green from the southern Mediterranean. However, the plant has been at home almost everywhere in Europe for centuries and is also popular as a garden plant. The maiden in the countryside used to be called Medicinal herb valued and was part of numerous monastery gardens.
Maiden in the Green – How does the name come about?
Due to its origins, the maiden in the green is known, among other things, as “Damascus caraway”. The name “Venus hairy” refers to its hair-shaped leaves. Especially in Austria, the buttercup plant is called “Gretl in der Stauden”, which is reminiscent of an old Tyrolean legend about two unhappy lovers. Greta and Hans could not be together in this life and were then transformed into beautiful flowers – she became Gretl in the perennials and he became the common chicory.
Good to know: The maiden in the green is considered a symbol of innocence and at the same time love of freedom. If an admirer received this plant as a gift from his beloved, his love unfortunately remained unrequited.
In each of their common names, the connection between the maiden in the green and the female gender comes into play. This peculiarity can probably be explained by the delicate appearance of the plant.
What does the maiden look like in the countryside?
The maiden in the green is a true grace with fine, hair-shaped leaves and equally delicate flowers with tentacle-shaped stamens. Each flower is elegantly embedded in a wreath of narrow bracts and presents itself depending on the variety Sky blue or white, in soft pink or in blue-violet. While the flowers of wild plants are simple, there are now also varieties with semi-double or even double flowers.
The seed heads of the damsel in the green look no less astonishing than the flowers. Thanks to their remarkable shape, these round capsule fruits with numerous hair-shaped outgrowths are among the so-called bizarre fruits and therefore serve wonderfully as decoration.
How big does the maiden grow in the countryside?
On average, the wild plants reach heights of between 40 and 50 cm. However, there are cultivated forms that grow to a height of 80 cm.
What is the difference between green cumin and black cumin?
The damsel in the green – Nigella damascena – and its close relative, the black cumin – Nigella sativa – look quite similar to each other. Both plants impress with their complex, fine flower geometry, although the caraway flowers look a little simpler. In addition, the leaves of Nigella sativa are also narrow, but less delicate.
A notice: The biggest difference between the two plants lies in their use. While the maiden is now used in the countryside as a purely ornamental plant, black cumin is an important culinary and medicinal herb thanks to the special properties of its seeds.
How do you care for the maiden in the countryside?
As a wild plant, the maiden is anything but demanding in the countryside. The plant feels comfortable and blooms magnificently in a sunny or sunny, bright location. In darker partial shade the flowers are more modest.
The maiden has no special requirements when it comes to soil quality in the countryside and copes well with loamy and gravelly, moderately moist soils. Like most plants, the damselfly does not like waterlogging in the countryside, but dried out soil is also harmful to it.
Good to know: The maiden in the countryside is not only undemanding, but also usually stays healthy. Most pests avoid the plant, even the greedy slugs don't like the flower.
Caring for the maiden in the countryside is therefore mainly limited to watching the garden ornament grow and bloom, occasionally pulling weeds and providing the plant with some water during dry periods. To keep the soil moist longer Mulch sensible. Fertilize is usually not absolutely necessary.
When does the maiden bloom in the green?
If the conditions are right, the maiden in the green will delight you with its bright flowers all summer long. The main flowering period of the annual plant is between the beginning of June and the end of August. However, the season can be extended by several weeks if you keep the maiden in the countryside March until May sown several times.
What are the best bed neighbors for the maiden in the green?
The summer-flowering plant can also be beautifully displayed in flower beds. The Jungfer is particularly suitable for use in low-maintenance gardens as well as in natural and cottage gardens. For planting pots on one terrace or loggia, the charming ornamental plant is also a suitable choice.
Tip: The delicate beauty looks great in group planting, preferably as a mix of varieties with plants of different colors and even sizes.
Examples of suitable partners and bed neighbors for the maiden in the countryside are:
All in all, flowering plants that have similar to the same requirements for the location are possible.
Is the maiden hardy outdoors?
Nigella damascena is an annual plant that dies in autumn. After the seeds are ripe, the capsule fruits tear open in the presence of wind or other light mechanical impact. The small black seeds are distributed over the ground and thus ensure the continued existence of the species.
How to use this plant?
The maiden in the green is primarily an ornamental plant that looks equally excellent in beds and containers. The freshly cut plants last quite a long time in a vase and are therefore a popular element in fresh flower bouquets. Dried Seed heads on long stems also look decorative.
Tip: In order to dry the capsule fruits of the maiden in the garden and use them as decoration, be sure to cut the plants before the seeds ripen. Hang the damsel in the countryside in an airy, dry place to dry.
What significance does the maiden in the countryside have for the kitchen?
In contrast to caraway, caraway has no significant significance today, neither as a culinary nor as a medicinal herb.
Important: However, the seeds contain this just like other parts of the plant Alkaloid damascene – a substance that may be carcinogenic. In this respect, consumption of Nigella damascena is generally not recommended.
What varieties of green maiden are there?
In addition to the classic wild form, several varieties of the green maiden have emerged as a result of years of breeding work by Nigella enthusiasts, for example:
- “Miss Jekyll” in expressive blue
- “Alba” in pure white
- “Persian Rose” in the eponymous pink
- “Mulberry Rose” in pink and white
Not only single-variety planting, but also mixes of several varieties create fascinating accents in the garden!
Conclusion: Virgin in the countryside – beautiful, easy to care for, versatile
The maiden in the green impresses with its delicate appearance and requires only a minimum of care. This summer-flowering plant is the perfect choice for natural and cottage gardens. Not only in the bed, but also in the vase, the maiden cuts a charming figure in the green. Nowadays, however, this delicate beauty no longer has any significance as a medicinal plant or culinary herb.
FAQ
Sow the plant directly outdoors from the end of March. Distances of around 20 cm are optimal; the seeds should be covered with a layer of soil about 1 cm thick. To extend the flowering period, you can reseed a few more times until mid-May.
The seeds of this type of black cumin taste like woodruff, but contain the potentially carcinogenic alkaloid damascene. In this respect, the maiden in the green is not one of the recommended edible plants.
The seed heads on the stem are particularly suitable for drying. Remember to prune the plants before the seeds are ripe.
This flowering plant relies on cross-pollination and attracts not only bees, but also a colorful flock of butterflies to the garden.
