The Nicotiana Flower
With over 60 species to choose from, nicotiana has lots of uses in the garden. Also known as flowering tobacco, nicotiana naturalizes readily and looks great in a woodland setting. Use taller varieties in the back of the border or as specimen plants. Smaller species work well in borders or containers. Does this Spark an idea?
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Characteristics
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The different species of nicotiana grow from less than a foot tall to nearly 10 feet. They are perennials in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11, and are grown as annuals elsewhere.
Flowers
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Nicotiana species have tubular or trumpet-shaped flowers, and most are closed during the day and open in the evening and at night. The open flowers release a strong, pleasant fragrance. When started indoors, the flowers bloom all summer.
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Requirements
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Nicotiana need full sun or partial shade and a well-draining, moist, fertile soil. Stake tall plants that are exposed to wind.
Starting Seeds
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Blooms are delayed until late summer when nicotiana is sown directly in the garden, and when started indoors they appear in late spring or early summer. Start the seeds indoors eight to 10 weeks before the last expected frost. Young seedlings need a weekly dose of water-soluble fertilizer.
Wildlife
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Some nicotiana species are attractive to butterflies, moths and hummingbirds. Old-fashioned species such as N. langsdorfii and N. sylvestris have a stronger fragrance and attract more nectar insects than newer cultivars.
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References
- Photo Credit nicotiana flowers image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com
