I have had some growing in my yard for about 3 - 4 years now. I originally winter-sowed the seeds. Then transplanted the seedlings. They are in a semi-raised bed, so they are growing in good soil rather than hard clay.

Ginger

yeah- easiest way is to throw the seed out directly n the beds in the late fall. It germinates, stays small and then zooms up as it gets a little warmer. Once you have it and let it reseed, you should have it again unless you mulch a lot. If you do, just save the seed and throw it out there each fall. Same method works for bachelor buttons, larkspur and poppies. They all want similar conditions and look great together, so you could have one area that you let them do their thing in and don't mulch as much as the rest of the garden if you wanted.

Thank you. I have plenty of reseeding larkspur so I don't know why nigella doesn't work here ( so far). I must have sown it in the spring. I'll try fall. I posted a question on the winter sowing forum about whether it was too late to sow poppies and people said no, they could be sown for awhile yet. I know I've had luck with early spring sown bachelor's buttons. I think I'll try nigella now but if they don't take I'll try again in fall. Nigella is so pretty and the combination you mentioned does sound beautiful.
Linda

yeah- i'd go ahead and try now. If we have a cool spring they'll do well. If it gets hot quick they'll probably be stunted, but you may get enough seed going to start the cycle.