Nicotiana glauca

I've been given a nicotiana glauca which has survived winter in a pot and was researching it for planting out. The RHS has no info but USA sites say it is hardy enough for here, can be invasive and is highly poisonous to humming birds (not a problem here), insects and animals.

I've checked the RHS for nicotiana annuals and biennials and they say great for pollinators despite the supposed nicotine content of pollen and nectar.

Do I plant this thing or kill it? It's got glaucous grey foliage on long, winding stems and has narrow, yellow, tubular flowers.

 

Mostly they have scented flowers on warm evenings.
It's quite widely grown I believe so I would go ahead and plant it.

 

Thanks. None of the sites I found mentioned perfume so I may have to plant it somewhere else where I can enjoy it of an evening.

 

think there might be some that don't have a scent.

 

I shall inspect it later on when the sun is not as fierce and have a sniff as it's just started flowering - funny, waxy looking flowers not at all like the annual bedding nioctiana forms.

 

Maybe I have the wrong idea then, I think I grew this many years ago and it didn't overwinter for me.
I think it grew pretty tall.

 

Apparently it doesn't like frosts but will come back if the crown is protected with a mulch. i'll see if I can get a photo.

 

Looks like an interesting plant! Jelitto and Special Plants (who I trust, and are in the UK) both sell seeds so I would definitely plant it and see.

 

Here it is. The base is a woody stem about pencil thick then lots of soft, whippy growth that I assume will harden off over the summer and need supporting meantime. The little tubular flowers are about 2.5cm to 3cm long. No noticeable perfume half an hour ago but the sun was still strong and hot.

 

This American site gives a bit more information @Obelix-Vendée ...

Nicotiana glauca: Identification, Health Benefits, Uses, Invasive Concerns, and Pet Safety

 

Thanks @Sheal. That makes it sound scary but probably no worse than foxgloves/digitalis or monkshood/aconitum.

 

@Obelix-Vendée, as gardeners most of us respect that various plants can create health problems. As long as we're aware of what we're handling and treating said plants with respect, then there's not usually any nasty problems. However, there are some plants in the world you wouldn't get me anywhere near.

 

There is a very small article about these plants on page 70, top left hand corner, of July 2025 edition of Gardeners World magazine.

 

Can't get that here @waterbut .

 

O-V. As I said it was a short article which stated - Find gaps in borders or containers that are near paths, doors or patios, where you can enjoy the scent as you pass. The fragrance is at its strongest in the evening and lingers best in a sheltered spot where the air is still. Water the plant before hand, then dig a hole so the plant is positioned at the same level as it was in the pot. Firm it in and water well, then continue watering for a few weeks until it has rooted in the soil.
Hope this helps.