Tobacco, Sylvestris aka Woodland (Nicotiana sylvestris)

Woodland Tobacco is a statuesque, night-fragrant beauty that brings an air of moonlit splendor to the summer garden. Native to the foothills and woodland edges of Argentina and Bolivia, this species grows as a tall annual with graceful, arching stems crowned by long, pendulous trumpet-shaped flowers. Their pure white petals flare open in the evening, releasing a rich, sweet perfume that drifts through warm night air and even in daylight, the plant’s broad, velvety leaves and towering posture give it a showy, architectural presence to be admired.

This dramatic Nicotiana is especially beloved for its adaptability and generous flowering habit. Once established in a sunny to lightly shaded site, it grows with remarkable vigor, sending up tall spires that bloom continuously through the heat of summer. Its nectar-rich flowers support nighttime pollinators, while the plant's bold form offers movement and contrast in mixed plantings. Whether cultivated for its perfume, its conservational benefit, or the quiet romance it brings to evening hours, Nicotiana sylvestris stands as one of the most enchanting ornamental tobaccos you can invite into the garden.