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Annual BiennialHerbaceous Perennial

Nicotiana suaveolens

Australian tobacco

A short-lived perennial often grown as an annual, with elliptic to lance-shaped green leaves. Slender stems bear loose clusters of small, heavily scented white flowers with long pink tubes, opening in the evenings from mid summer to early autumn

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer White Pink Green
Autumn White Pink Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Solanaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eaten, avoid skin contact. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten, avoid skin contact. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus

Nicotiana can be annuals, biennials, perennials or shrubs, with simple, alternate leaves and tubular or salver-shaped, often fragrant flowers borne in racemes or panicles in summer or autumn

Name status

Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed. Surface sow seeds, do not exclude light

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, thrips, slugs, glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse leafhopper

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds and to virus diseases

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