love-in-a-mist

American  

[luhv-in-uh-mist] / ˈlʌv ɪn əˈmɪst /

noun

1. a plant, Nigella damascena, of the buttercup family, having feathery dissected leaves and whitish or blue flowers.

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love-in-a-mist British  

noun

1. an erect S European ranunculaceous plant, Nigella damascena, cultivated as a garden plant, having finely cut leaves and white or pale blue flowers See also fennelflower

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Etymology

Origin of love-in-a-mist

First recorded in 1750–60

Example Sentences

Hardy annuals, such as poppies, larkspur, love-in-a-mist and bachelor buttons, benefit from a winter chill and bloom earlier than a spring sowing.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 25, 2023

Little manila coin envelopes filled with seeds of a dark purple poppy, cobalt blue love-in-a-mist, fragrant sweet peas, ruby orach, rusty foxglove — and yes, Miss Willmott’s “ghost” — make up my garden’s currency.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 29, 2022

Annuals, like larkspur, love-in-a-mist, calendula and various poppies, flower and seed generously.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 12, 2022

I have planted bulbs of a Mentone creeper, love-in-a-mist, heather, sweet peas and canna seeds.

From Three Years in Tristan da Cunha by Barrow, Katherine Mary

Another bed we are proud of is filled with love-in-a-mist rising out of sweet alyssum–all feathery blue and white, like our own skies.

From The Idyl of Twin Fires by Eaton, Walter Prichard