Fragrant Flowering Nicotiana and Heliotropium

Nicotiana and Helioptropium are fragrant tender perennials more often used as annuals in flower gardens. Commonly called flowering tobacco and heliotrope respectively, each were favorites during the Victorian era in cottage gardens and now in the 21st century, remain traditional choices among gardeners. Use these plants in a scented perennial garden, a focus in an annual garden or mix together to fill in space. These plants are highly valued for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to any type of garden.

Easy to Grow Flowering Tobacco

A native of Brazil, Nicotiana has fragrant leaves and flowers and upright stems on clump-forming plants. Each star shaped flower has a long throat held high above the leaves. With blooms that remain open at night and nighttime fragrance, it is an appropriate plant for evening patio gardens.

Mature flowering tobacco plants can range from 10 inches up to 5 feet tall depending on the species or hybrid. It blooms early summer to frost in full sun but will tolerate part shade. Nicotiana will wilt in hot afternoon sun then recover in cool evening shade; wilting is not a reliable indication of watering needs for this plant.

Tall varieties of flowering tobacco will add movement to a garden with the nodding flower heads. No matter the size, Nicotiana is an easy to grow flower for cutting gardens.

Heliotrope with Fragrant Flowers

Heliotropium arborescens is a bushy plant that grows 12″ – 18″ tall and 12″ – 15″ wide in full sun and moist well draining soil. It requires regular watering during drought, therefore is not appropriate for sustainable gardens.

The single dark green leaves along each stem are approximately 1″ – 3″ long and characterized by deep veining texture. Leaves and stems are pubescent. Five petal flowers make up clusters on each flower spray. Traditional colors of heliotrope include violet, purple, white and a dark blue found on the popular Heliotropium ‘Marine.’

The vanilla scented flowering plant is highly valued for planting along sidewalks or in containers. Heliotrope was often planted in containers during the Victorian age. Some species of Heliotropium have been used in making perfume.

Flowering tobacco and heliotrope are two annual flowering plants that attract pollinators, provide relaxing scent to a garden, and are appropriate for a cutting garden.

For more garden ideas here are additional easy to grow annual plants. Flowering tobacco and heliotrope can be considered for gardens in hot humid weather or along garden walkways, as well.