Nicotiana alata: Fragrant Evening Blooms for Moonlit Gardens

Plant nicotiana where you can enjoy its scent: along paths, near seating areas, or outside bedrooms.

Newer varieties can be nearly scentless, so choose carefully. (All parts are poisonous, so keep away from kids and pets.)

What You Need to Know

The wild species reaches 2–4 ft tall and 1 ft wide, topped with fragrant white flowers in the evening. Newer strains come in red, purple, lime, and pink and may bloom day and night. Fragrance strength varies, though 3-ft-tall 'Grandiflora' is a sure thing for summer scent.

Plant this annual in spring or summer in full sun, with regular water.

Grow alongside silvery or variegated foliage plants that show up in moonlight: helichrysum, lamb's ears, artemisia 'Powis Castle', lamium, and hosta.