Nicotiana

[Thehedgehog]

Hi, just a quick query

we have a flourishing wildlife garden and want to add Nicotiania to the mix
We get conflicting information from searches
Is Nicotiana sylvestris an annual or biennial ?
& what about N. Lime Green?

I just want to know about sowing it. When should I do it. Now or next spring?

Thanks

Derek

[Hedera]

They are best planted now. Usually treated as annuals, but Sylvestris can be saved as natively in S. America it is a perennial. Nice plant; strangely its flowers close up in bright sunshine!

[Dorts]

Derek. For best results Nicotiana should be sown under glass, in gentle heat around Feb/March. Failing this indoors during March/April.

You have missed sowing-time for this year so maybe buy some plants for this season. The perennial Nicotiana affinis, (treated as annual here), is particularly good at attracting night-flying moths and has a lovely scent in the evening.
Nicotiana 'Lime Green' is such an unusual colour, it should be welcome in any garden planting scheme.
All the best.
Dorts.

[Grimalkin]

I grew some from seed a few years ago and one plant came up year after year. it must have had it's own little micro climate, amazing scent ...