Nicotiana alata is also known as Winged Tobacco or Jasmine Tobacco. This South American plant, is actually a perennial, but it is treated as a half-hardy annual in northern Europe. In milder regions, the plants and roots may survive the winter successfully, and the following year’s growth should produce flowers from early July.

While the parent species provide the plants with the best fragrance, their big disadvantage is that the flowers do not open until the evening, but the white flowers of a single plant, growing to the rear of the border, can produce enough exquisite scent to fill the whole garden. Named varieties lack the full scent of Nicotiana alata, but Nicotiana alata ‘Dwarf White Bedder’ is perhaps the nearest of all to the species, with plants producing fragrant white blooms, which open both during the day and evening.

Winged tobacco has broad, spoon-shaped leaves and stems of funnel-shaped, white flowers. The named varieties come in many colours including red, purple and lime green. Plants prefer a sunny or partially shaded position. Plant out as soon as risk of frost has passed; this is not usually before the end of May. Pinch out the growing tips of seedlings to keep them bushy. Once the flowers have died, remove the dead heads.

Growing Requirements

Soil
Nicotiana alata will not thrive in dry conditions and likes a well-drained soil. Newly planted plants will need to be watered for the first month, if necessary. Before planting, well-rotted organic matter should be incorporated into the soil.

Size
A somewhat spindly plant that typically grows 3ft to 5ft (90cm to 1.5m) tall. The cultivars are usually shorter at around 2ft (60cm). Larger plants can spread up to 2ft (30cm).

Propagation
Nicotiana alata can be propagated by root cuttings, although the easiest way is to produce new plants by seed. Sow nicotiana seed at 21 to 24° C., under glass, from February to April.

Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Nicotiana

Salvia splendens is really a perennial from Brazil, but it is most often used as an annual bedding plant in northern Europe. It is fast growing and flowers in the first season after sowing. They can be used in all sorts of areas as they are happy in tubs, window boxes and other containers, and can be more formally planted in bedding displays.

The most common cultivar used is the brilliantly scarlet ‘blaze of fire’ but other varieties are available in pink and purple shades and in sizes between 8in and 24in (20cm to 60cm) tall. The flower colour of salvia is a combination of flowers and bracts. Plant well grown plants outside only when all risk of frost has passed. Salvias are very frost tender, and a frost can decimate a newly planted scheme overnight. Always select sturdy and multi-stemmed plants and deadhead the plants to keep them tidy and to encourage continuous flower production.

Plants grown in the open ground will usually need no additional watering after planting. Container plants are more vulnerable to drying out and the compost needs to be kept moist. In cooler climates, they can be planted in full sun but in areas that get very hot summers, partial shade will be required.

Growing Requirements

Soil
Salvia splendens prefers a fertile, free-draining garden soil, but pot-grown plants will grow well in a good quality compost. Container grown plants will need feeding every 7 to 10 days, from planting out to the end of the season, with a proprietary liquid plant food.

Size
Height around 12in (30 cm) with a similar sized spread.

Propagation
Propagation is by seed. Sow the seed under glass between January and March, where a temperature of 20 to 27° C. is required for germination to occur. Grow on at around 13° C. and plant out after the danger of frost has passed.

Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Salvia

The Gazania is native of South Africa and is sometimes known as the Treasure Flower. They are half-hardy perennials but seldom survive a British winter and are best grown as annuals. They make useful summer bedding plants or they can be grown in patio containers or hanging baskets. Wherever you plant them, they will provide a superb splash of colour on sunny days.

Gazanias have a daisy-like flower and come in lots of brilliant colours, pinks, yellows, oranges and reds, and often a mixture of these and sometimes have a metallic sheen. The vivid flowers close up on an afternoon and remain shut until the following morning. If the weather is overcast, they do not open at all. The leaves are lobed, dark green, and grow in compact clumps. Each clump supports a number of flowers.

Growing Requirements

Soil
Water freely when in growth but keep plants just moist in winter outdoors. They like sandy well-drained soil in full sun and will tolerate coastal conditions. Deadhead to prolong the flowering period.

Size
Gazanias will grow to a height of around 10 in (25cm) and spread about 13in (33cm). The flowers can reach a diameter of 10cm and bloom from June until the end of September.

Propagation
Treasure flowers are very easy to grow and are normally grown from seed in a loam-based compost with added sharp sand, under glass, in late winter or early spring at 18 to 20°C although they can be grown from basal cuttings.

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Gazania