Nicotiana alata

For our money, the best form of Nicotiana is still the species N. alata (often called Jasmine Tobacco) which produces tall, graceful stems of pale, nodding flowers with starry faces. Nicotiana is a tropical genus that has Tobacco as its most infamous member, but all of the 70-odd species are fragrant in flower or leaf, or both. Their luminous flowers, often open in the evening, have attracted a lot of attention from hybridizers who have interbred species until it's hard to know what you've got, but Nicotiana alata is something special. Its soft, sweet perfume peaks at dusk on warm nights, attracting exotic pollinators and domestic gardeners to its calming presence. Bloom starts in July and continues into fall in a protected spot. These 3–4′ plants stand up to rough weather without staking and are not fussy about soil. A half day of sun is plenty, which makes it easy to tuck them in near a door or window and enjoy their perfume indoors. Perennial in Zone 10.

For more information on growing Nicotiana, click Growing Guide.

HOW PLANTS ARE SHIPPED

The size of the plants we ship has been selected to reduce the shock of transplanting. For some, this means a large, bareroot crown. Others cannot travel bareroot or transplant best if grown in containers. We ship these perennials and annuals in 1 pint pots, except as noted. We must point out that many perennials will not bloom the first year after planting, but will the following year, amply rewarding your patience. We ship bulbs as dormant, bare bulbs, sometimes with some wood shavings or moss. Shrubs, Roses, vines, and other woody plants may be shipped bareroot or in pots. The size of the pot is noted in the quick facts for each item.

WHEN WE SHIP

We ship our bulbs and plants at the right time for planting in your area, except as noted, with orders dispatched on a first-come, first-served basis by climate zone. We also ship a wide range of containers and planters, tools, supplies, fertilizers, garden wear, garden decor items, as well as indoor decorations like wreaths and dried bouquets when available. Estimated dates for shipping are indicated in the green Shipping Details box for each item. Please supply a street address for delivery. Kindly contact us with two weeks notice, if you'll be away at the expected time of delivery.

OUR GUARANTEE

We guarantee to ship plants that are in prime condition for growing. If your order is damaged or fails to meet your expectations, we will cheerfully replace or refund it. Please contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-503-9624 or email us at [email protected]. Please include your order number or customer number when contacting us.