Nicotiana – Flowering Tobacco ‘Grandiflora’

Description

Nicotiana alata One of the most fragrant flowers! This stunning plant is a must-have for every gardener and is ideal for the mixed border. Flowering for many months, it fills the air with a sweet, jasmine-like scent. Showy white flowers open during the cool of the evening with oblong shaped leaves and an erect branching form. Hummingbird moth magnet! aka Jasmine tobacco produces tall, graceful stems of pale, nodding flowers with starry faces. Its soft, sweet perfume peaks at dusk on warm nights; their pale, luminous flowers often open in the evening, so tuck plants near a window to get their Jasmine-like perfume indoors.

Recommended variety by Erin at Floret.($5.95 US +tx+shipping US)

Sow seed 6-8 weeks before last frost. Do not cover and bottom water until seedlings emerge. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed.  Very easy to grow, prefers leaner soils. Using fertilizers tends to make plants put out lots of leaves and few blossoms. They prefer full sun, but can do well in part sun or dappled shade

Blossoms are fragile, so take care when harvesting. Remove spent flowers from lower half of stem every few days. Expect a vase life of 7 days.

Also known as flowering tobacco, the genus Nicotiana consists of more than 60 species, including the plant notorious for producing smoking tobacco. Nicotianas are named after Jean Nicot, a 16th century Ambassador who is credited with introducing tobacco to the French court, where it gained popularity in the form of medicinal snuff. Ornamental Nicotianas aren’t grown for this usage, but for their uniquely beautiful flowers, wonderful fragrance, and graceful appearance in the garden. They are also deer-resistant! Members of the Solanaceae family: nightshades, their relatives include tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.

annual, 32 40”,  sun/part shade, Days to maturity: 90 days,  spacing: 12-18”, Pinch: not necessary
Approx seeds per packet: 100

Caution: True to their name, plants in this genus do contain toxic nicotine, which helps to deter pests and insects from causing damage to tender, young plants. This can be a hazard to pets and horses.