The dainty damsel in the open - sometimes also called 'Damascene caraway' or 'Gretchen im Busch' - inspires with its delicately pinnate leaves and pretty, filigree flowers. The annual flower is very suitable for colorful summer borders and can be cultivated wonderfully alone or together with other annual summer flowers or perennials. The undemanding spinster also feels very comfortable in the garden in the bucket or balcony box. Their seeds can be used in many different ways.
The seeds of the Maiden in the Green are edible
Harvest and sow seeds
After flowering, decorative seed pods develop, which begin to ripen around the beginning of August. You can tell when the time is right when the capsules gradually turn brown, dry up and finally - when the time is right - burst open. Since the Jungfer im Grünen sows itself very reliably again and again, annual spring sowing is actually not necessary. Otherwise, sow directly outdoors in March / April.
Use seeds as a spice
Jungfer im Grünen is closely related to black cumin and, like it, can be used as a spice. For this purpose, you can harvest the seeds and grind them finely or even pound them in a mortar; their taste is slightly reminiscent of woodruff. But be careful: In contrast to black cumin, Jungfer im Grünen contains the alkaloid damascenine, which may only be consumed in small amounts and is not very digestible in excess. For this reason, the plant is also classified as slightly poisonous.
Seed heads are suitable for dried bouquets
The seeds can also be used - well dried - for drying bouquets. To do this, cut off the stalks with the unripe, green-brown seed pods from August and hang them upside down to dry in a warm and airy place. Combine these with other dried flowers, with wildflowers and grasses being particularly suitable. The seed pods - nicely painted gold or silver - can also be used for an interesting Christmas decoration.
tips
If you sow the spinster in the open, make sure that you sow at intervals of two to three weeks - this way the beautiful flowers will still bloom in autumn and please the eyes and heart.