Nicotiana sylvestris (Flowering tobacco)

Botanical name

Nicotiana sylvestris

Other names

Flowering tobacco, Nicotiana sylvestris 'Only the Lonely', Woodland tobacco

Genus

Nicotiana Nicotiana

Species

N. sylvestris - N. sylvestris is an upright, branching biennial or short-lived perennial with a basal rosette of large, oblong to elliptic, dark green leaves and dense, compact panicles of fragrant, long-tubed, trumpet-shaped, white flowers in summer.

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

Flowers are fragrant and best enjoyed on autumn evenings.

Habit

Branching, Upright

Toxicity

May cause severe discomfort if comsumed.

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

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Colour

Flower

White in Summer; White in Autumn

Foliage

Green in Summer; Green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Glasshouse whitefly , Leafhoppers , Aphids , Slugs

Diseases

Generally disease free.

General care

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Nicotiana sylvestris (Flowering tobacco) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.

Suggested uses

City, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Sub-Tropical

Cultivation

Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade in a sheltered position. Flowers close in full sun. It will appreciate rotted organic matter being added to the soil before planting. Will be perennial in warmer climates.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Nicotiana sylvestris (Flowering tobacco)

Common pest name

Cassava whitefly; Cotton whitefly; Sweet potato whitefly; Tobacco whitefly

Scientific pest name

Bemisia tabaci non-European populations

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Non-European populations of Bemisia tabaci pose an additional risk to European populations due to the potential for introducing non-European viruses.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Nicotiana sylvestris (Flowering tobacco)

Common pest name

; Black wood of grapevine; Female sterility of tobacco; Fruit woodiness of tomato; Maize Redness; Mal azul of tomato; Metabolbur; Metastolbur; Parastolbur; Purple top of potato; Stolbur of potato; Stolbur of tobacco; Stolbur of tomato

Scientific pest name

Candidatus Phytoplasma solani

Type

Phytoplasma

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Phytoplasma which potentially affects a wide host range; determined by the feeding behaviour of vectors. First UK outbreak in 2014; on strawberry; a host not specifically regulated in EU legislation. This legislation should be reviewed to take account of this and other developments.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Nicotiana sylvestris (Flowering tobacco)

Common pest name

Cassava whitefly; Cotton whitefly; Sweet potato whitefly; Tobacco whitefly

Scientific pest name

Bemisia tabaci European populations

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

The UK has a protected zone in place for this pest which helps to mitigate the risk of entry and establishment. An EFSA opinion is currently being discussed at the EU Annexes Working Group which recommends further strengthening of the regulation.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/