Nicotiana 'White Trumpets' Seeds
If you enjoy sitting in your garden at dusk with a glass of wine, you need this plant. During the day, Nicotiana sylvestris is a stately, architectural giant with large, paddle-shaped leaves and cascading fountains of long, tubular white flowers.
But as the sun goes down, the flowers perk up and release a powerful, intoxicating fragrance reminiscent of jasmine and cloves. The pure white trumpets seem to glow in the twilight (making it perfect for a "Moon Garden"), acting as a beacon for night-flying moths. It adds height, drama, and sensory delight to the back of any border.
Read More
🌿 Understanding the Plant
Nicotiana is a Half-Hardy Annual (technically a short-lived perennial, but best grown as an annual in the UK).
It originates from Argentina, so it loves warmth.
The Habit: Unlike the small bedding types, this is a monster! It forms a huge rosette of leaves at the base (needs space!) and sends up flower spikes reaching 1.5m (5ft) tall.
Fun Fact: The leaves are covered in sticky hairs. You might find tiny midges stuck to them—the plant isn't carnivorous, it's just a defensive mechanism!
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
These seeds are tiny (dust-like) and need light to germinate.
Germination:
Sow indoors from February to April. Surface sow onto moist compost. Do not cover the seeds—they need light. Just press them gently into the surface. Keep warm (20°C). Germination takes 10-14 days.
Where to Sow:
They tolerate sun or partial shade (the flowers actually last longer if kept out of the baking midday sun). They need rich, moisture-retentive soil to support their rapid growth. They are fantastic in large pots but need regular watering.
Care While Growing:
Support: Despite their thick stems, they can rock in the wind. Use a bamboo cane to support the main spike in exposed gardens.
Deadhead: Remove spent flower stalks to encourage side shoots and extend the display into October.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Nicotiana sylvestris |
| Common Name | Woodland Tobacco / White Trumpets |
| Hardiness | H2 (Half-Hardy - Needs Frost Protection) |
| Light Required | Sun / Part Shade ⛅ |
| Height | ↕️ 120cm - 150cm (Very Tall) |
| Spread | ↔️ 60cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 50cm - 60cm apart |
| Great for | 🌙 Moon Gardens 👃 Night Scent 🦋 Moths 🏰 Back of Border |
| Seed Count | Approx. 1000 seeds (Dust-like) |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
This architectural giant looks best with other plants that come alive in the evening:
- 🌙 Night Scented Stock: The Scent Layering. Plant low-growing Night Scented Stock around the base of the tall Nicotiana. Both release their perfume at dusk, creating an intoxicating sensory corner near a patio.
- ☁️ Cosmos 'Purity': The White Garden. The large, open saucers of white Cosmos look stunning next to the hanging trumpets of the Nicotiana. Both glow in the moonlight, creating a cohesive, elegant display.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow indoors in spring. Plant out in June. Flowers mid-summer to autumn.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Indoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
⚠️ Toxicity Note
Nicotiana belongs to the Nightshade family. All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested (by humans or pets), and the sticky leaves can irritate sensitive skin. Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin.
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
This plant is a wildlife magnet. It holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) and is crucial for night-flying pollinators like Hawk Moths.
- Regular price
-
£2.00 - Regular price
-
- Sale price
-
£2.00
Couldn't load pickup availability
