Plant-A-Day 2020 (Day 152) Nicotiana alata

That this plant continues to exist in the greenhouse is somewhat miraculous. I started it from seed at least ten years ago and have done very little to maintain it or care for it since. I leave it in a large pot in the greenhouse all summer. It leafs out in February/March, blooms early (May/June) and then goes dormant in the hottest part of the year.

The other miracle of this species is its fragrance. It fills the greenhouse with a sweet, clean scent. The flowers are pretty, too, thought hey seem prone to predation by insects.

Since I’m appreciating this plant more appropriately this year, my 2020 plans include topdressing it’s pot, dropping a Jobe’s spike in there and hoping the plant will grow more and spread a bit.