An indispensible annual

[Hoy]

Better photos of a good annual in the rock garden or the regular flower garden:

     Nigella hispanica

This is one of the species I have thought of growing. Now you have made the decision easy: Next year I'll grow it!

[stephenb]

Nice pictures of the Nigella, Rick! I've grown most of them at one time or another (currently only N. damascena) as the aromatic seed of all of them can be used in cooking, particularly on bread and savoury dishes. Nigella sativa (Black Cumin) is the main one of commerce, but the flowers are rather small and it needs a warmer climate than I can offer. The seed is often called Black Onion Seed due to their resemblence to Allium seed (no wonder the Onion-maestro likes them ) A very important Indian spice.

Two pictures, one of N. arvensis and the other seed pods of N. sativa...

[RickR]

the aromatic seed of all of them can be used in cooking, particularly on bread and savoury dishes.

I did not know that, Stephen.  I always get a lot of seed.  (I'll send you some when the time comes, Trond.)  N. dammascena is common here.  Between that and N. hispanica, does one have better flavor, in your opinion?

[stephenb]

I've never grown hispanica - I've had seed but it hasn't germinated. Actually, I don't see hispanica mentioned in the databases of edible plants that I have access to, so I imagine it's inferior to the others (or just missed).

[RickR]

I've never grown hispanica - I've had seed but it hasn't germinated. Actually, I don't see hispanica mentioned in the databases of edible plants that I have access to, so I imagine it's inferior to the others (or just missed).

Hmmm, that's a little discouraging.  Likewise, I've never noticed any fragrance to the seed or any of the plant parts of my Nigella hispanica.

[Hoy]

the aromatic seed of all of them can be used in cooking, particularly on bread and savoury dishes.

I did not know that, Stephen.  I always get a lot of seed.  (I'll send you some when the time comes, Trond.)  N. dammascena is common here.  Between that and N. hispanica, does one have better flavor, in your opinion?

[Lori S.]

Here is our only indispensible annual... California poppy, Eschscholzia californica.  All other intentionally-planted annuals have long since been crowded out by perennials, but for this one, I reserve a spot in the sun.  Actually, our only other annuals are the neighbour's bachelor buttons and tidy tips that have made it over into our yard in great profusion despite being downwind...

[Schier]

Lori, I too always have a "flock" of California poppies, and I love them! I really do have quite a thing for poppies, and many of them being annuals. Another annual that I hate to be without - on top of the stone foundation of the homestead house, is Phacelia
campanularia, this year however I only found 2 plants! I must fling a little more seed this fall...

[Lori S.]

Oh, I like that one too, Faith!  Those blues can be just luminous in certain lights.

[auspoppies]

Fantastic poppies would you like to exchange to expand you poppy collections please contact me for a list.
Regards James

[IMYoung]

the neighbour's bachelor buttons and tidy tips

I'm not familiar with these, Lori, what are they?

[Weiser]

They are annual dryland daisies in the genus Layia. There are fourteen species last time I checked but with the way the Asteraceae are being rearranged who knows.
Here are two species I grow.

From the Great Basin, central California and Desert Southwest we find the white Layia glandulosa



From Central California and the Desert Southwest we fine one of the yellow and white species, Layia platyglossa

   

[McDonough]

As usual, great photos John.  Here are some more links on these two annuals:

Layia platyglossa, Tidy Tips
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Layia_platyglossa_Tidy-Tips!_(hortulus)_001.jpg

Centaurea cyanus, Bachelors Buttons, Cornflower
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornflower

Non-native distribution of Centaurea cyanus in North America:
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CECY2&mapType=nativity&photoID=cecy2_002_ahp.tif

Bachelors Buttons are one of my first annuals grown, and still a favorite.  The color range includes some good reds, clear pinks, and a dark maroon.
http://www.smartkitchen.com/resources/ingredients/vegetables/flowers/other-flowers/temp-bachelor-s-button-flowers

[IMYoung]

Thank you, John and Mark.
Smart and cheery  things those Tidy Tips.

I know the double form of Ranunculus aconitifolius by the name Bachelors' Buttons, so to see it applied to a Cornflower was a surprise. I expect there are other "button like flowers that have attracted that name too in other places.

[Lori S.]

Fantastic poppies would you like to exchange to expand you poppy collections please contact me for a list.
Regards James

What all are you growing, James?  Love to see photos!