There is no doubt about it that nicotiana is one of the more classy plants that grows in the Higgledy Garden. Not only does it look fabulous but during the night the plant gives off a delightful scent which will impress Mr and Mrs Dowling-Fluffer-Trumpet when they pop over for evening cocktails on the veranda.
Although not toxic enough to kill you in small doses it is amazing to think that this plant is expected to kill one billion people in the 21st century through smoking related diseases…still…it looks pretty.
How to propagate Nicotiana
Sow the seeds thinly in a propagator on a windowsill or in a greenhouse at approx. 15-20°C (60-68°F) pressing the seed gently onto a good quality, finely sieved, moist compost. Do not exclude light or allow to dry out. Germination normally takes about 12 days. Transplant seedlings, spacing them 5cm (2″) apart in trays and grow on. Plant out after carefully acclimatising the plants to outside conditions 45-60cm (18-24″) apart.
Growing Nicotiana on
Its essential that this ‘dame’ of the garden gets more than her allowance of fertilizer or she may throw a hissy fit and refuse to perform. I dig some in to the bed before planting out the seedlings. She will tolerate partial shade. Don’t leave them too long in their pots before planting out because you may damage the tap root…and then its curtains.
If left to seed, eventually you will develop a strain that will tolerate the cold and you will have nicotiana plants until you are old and wrinkly…or older and wrinklier.
Where to find nicotiana seeds
Some garden centers will have some seeds. Alternatively try Suttons or Sarah Raven Seeds. (For Sarah Raven seeds click on banner on right hand side of page) Double defo have a go at growing Nicotiana sylvestris which I know Sarah stocks…this is super posh and stately…also ‘Alata Lime Green’ for a freaky but friendly variety.
Visit the Higgledy Garden Shop to BUY NICOTIANA SEEDS!!! :)
Benjamin
See the other stars of the annual flower world at Higgledy Garden’s Top 50 Flowers.
Clicking on the orange logo at the top of the page that says RSS, will either, instantly bring you a genie who will offer you three wishes and a ‘special cuddle’ or you may simply get FREE higgledy updates as and when they come…win win or what!
May 13, 2011 @ 9:57 pm
Just planted a raft (well 6 plants) near my kitchen window, swathing *dramatically* around a peony, hopefully they will look fantaberoony in a few weeks. Sweet peas also in but wrestling daily with the pidgeons for supremacy, will keep you posted ;O)
May 15, 2011 @ 8:26 am
I’m sure will will be awarded the Fanterberoony Medal of Distinction for your Peony Nicotiana combo…bravo Ceri!
April 24, 2011 @ 5:29 pm
We grew these flowers last year and they appear to have self-seeded, as the area around where they were planted is full of tiny plants, they’re standing at 1/4 inch tall.. after all the snow and cold weather we’ve had, I’m surprised they survived..
April 24, 2011 @ 9:17 pm
My friends have a load self seed too. I haven’t had any luck growing them in the greenhouse but will sow some in the ground next week. Fingers crossed!
Flying Sheds And Compost Tossing | Higgledy Garden
February 7, 2011 @ 7:30 pm
[…] by 7 meters. It doesn’t get the morning sun and am thinking about having it as a dedicated Nicotiana bed as they don’t mind not getting the sun all day. I love em too so a whole patch would be […]
Garden Flower: Coreopsis, (Tickseed) | Higgledy Garden
January 12, 2011 @ 8:46 pm
[…] not take a peak at our award winning (Awarded by ourselves) post on Nicotiana….its lovely…its informative…and some say its nearly […]
top 50 annual flowers for cutting | Higgledy Garden
January 6, 2011 @ 11:10 pm
[…] Nicotiana […]