Jungfer in the green: sowing, location & care

The maiden in the green not only has a fancy name, but also beautiful flowers that are decorative even as fruit capsules.

We'll tell you, among other things, where the many names of the Nigella damascena and whether the plant, which is closely related to black cumin, can also convince as a culinary and medicinal herb. There are also tips on sowing and care.

Jungfer in the green: characteristics and origin

The annual, herbaceous plant from the Mediterranean region belongs to the genus black cumin (Nigella) within the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). She has many interesting names such as:

• Gretchen in the bush
• Bride in hair
• Damascus cumin
• Venus-haired
  

But where does the name "Jungfer im Grünen" come from? The name comes from a legend according to which two lovers were forbidden to love each other by their parents. Gretl and Hans missed each other so much that they turned into flowers. Gretl became a maiden in the countryside and Hans became a Wegwarte, who is also called Hansl am Weg in some regions.

The many other names are more related to the appearance of the plant. There are many pinnate leaves that are strongly reduced on the branched stem. The mostly blue flowers are bordered by bracts, which are so severely slashed that they are reminiscent of fine hair.

Tip: The maiden in the green is just like the Wegwarte, yarrow and Cornflower a symbol of spurned love. Anyone who is presented with a bouquet of these flowers can quickly see it as a rejection.
The following question remains: When does the maiden bloom in the green? The natural flowering period extends from June to September. During this time, the maiden attracts numerous bees and other insects in the green, which then pollinate the flowers. The result is light capsule fruits, the seeds of which are shaken out of fine crevices by the wind shaking them or by passing animals. Nigella damascena usually 45 cm high, but sometimes it can reach heights of 70 cm. The maiden in the green is not often visited by snails, but rather spurned.

What is the difference between maiden in the green and black cumin? The virgin in the green and the real black cumin both belong to the same genus, namely to the black cumin (Nigella). However, they can be easily distinguished from the leaves. The real black cumin (Nigella sativa) has no hair-like bracts and appears overall less light and delicate. Due to its spicy taste, the real black cumin is used more often and differently in the kitchen than the seeds of the maiden in the green.

The most beautiful varieties

As a popular garden plant, the maiden in the green is available in different varieties. Flower color and height are the main distinguishing features here.

• Nigella damascena "Moody Blues": This mix of varieties contains slightly taller lines that bloom in various color gradations from a whitish blue to blue-violet. The plants reach a maximum height of 80 cm.

• Nigella damascena ‘Persian Rose’: As the name suggests, this maiden blooms in the green in pink instead of blue. With a height of around 50 cm, it is in the average range for Nigella damascena.

• Nigella damascena "Miss Jekyll": The flowers of this variety are sky blue and semi-double, making them look even more magnificent. For bees, however, double flowers are more of a disadvantage. The variety grows to about 45 cm high.

• Nigella damascena 'Alba': Here, too, the name of the variety reveals its specialty. This maiden in the green blooms white. It can reach a height of 50 cm.

Sowing virgin in the country: location and procedure

The maiden thrives best in the countryside in a location with a lot of sun and on fresh, loose and moderately nutrient-rich soil. On the other hand, in less suitable locations in partial shade or on dry, very poor soil, the maiden in the green remains smaller and fewer flowers are formed. To settle the maiden in the countryside by sowing in the garden, proceed as follows:

• You can improve a very nutrient-poor and dry soil with high-quality potting soil. For example, ours is suitable for the maiden in the country, but also for many other flowering plants Plantura organic potting soilthat can be used both in the pot and in the bed. It contains a good portion of nutrients for a successful start to growth and also ensures healthy soil life.
• From March onwards, sow the seeds directly in the bed. The seeds should be about 1 cm deep in the soil. Maintain a distance of about 20 cm between the plants - but you can also relocate the plants within the first two weeks after germination.
• The first seedlings will appear after two to three weeks.
• For a long flowering period through November, you can plant new seeds every two weeks.

Keep maiden in the green in the pot? The maiden in the green can also grow in a pot without problems. In any case, there should be a drainage hole and a drainage layer made of coarse material such as stones so that the irrigation water can run off. Here too is ours Plantura organic potting soil excellent as a substrate.

Caring for the Nigella damascena

As a frugal and adaptable plant, the maiden needs little care in the country. If the plant grows in the tub, it needs a little more attention.

The maiden in the green should only be watered if it makes it necessary for longer periods of heat. The plant copes quite well with drought and does not need to be watered daily. If the maid is kept in the green in the pot, it should be checked regularly with the finger test whether it has to be watered again. When the upper centimeters are dry, water can be given.

Tip: A layer of mulch, for example from ours Plantura organic pine bark, protects the earth from drying out and suppresses wild herbs that could overgrow the maiden in the green.

Fertilization is usually only necessary in the case of the Jungfer in the country when it is kept in a pot. Give the plant a low dose of fertilizer every 14 days during the flowering period, for example with ours Plantura organic flower & balcony fertilizer. Our fertilizer is purely organic and not only strengthens leaves and flowers, but also the roots of the plants thanks to the microorganisms it contains.

To prevent the virgin from sowing and spreading by itself in the green, you can prune the plants before the seeds ripen. Now only the following question arises: is the maiden hardy in the countryside? The annual plant is not hardy, but dies after a year and ensures the continued existence of its species by self-sowing.

Drying maiden in the countryside

After flowering, the virgin develops seed pods in the green. These look extremely decorative and are often used for dry bouquets. To do this, cut the stems of the plant at the base and hang them upside down on a thread to dry.

In order to get to the edible seeds of the virgin in the countryside, one waits until the capsules on the plants begin to turn brown. Then they are harvested and dried in a shallow bowl on kitchen paper until they are parchment-like. At this stage the capsules should already tear open on top. Now shake the seeds on clean paper, remove any foreign bodies such as seed pests, and then store the seeds in a dry, dark and cool place.

Is the maiden in the green poisonous or edible?

Most representatives of the buttercup family, which also includes the maiden in the green, are poisonous. Nigella damascena is considered to be slightly poisonous, which is why you should never eat the whole plant. Especially with children and pets, you should be careful: you shouldn't nibble on the plant or put it in your mouth.
The seeds of the maiden in the green are edible and taste intensely like woodruff when they are finely ground. That is why they are particularly suitable for sweet dishes, but are also often used to decorate and flavor cream cheese. However, always eat only small amounts, as the seeds also contain the poisonous alkaloid damascenin.

The seeds of the maid in the green are said to have an expectorant effect in small doses, but the healing effect is not certain. And since the effect has not been conclusively clarified, consumption is not advisable to be on the safe side.

An exciting representative of medicinal and culinary herbs is that Spiced fennel. How to grow it in your own garden and overwinter it, we will show you in the article.