A beautiful, compact variety of Nicotiana producing an abundance of delicate, star-shaped flowers in the softest shades of blush pink and creamy white. ‘Saratoga Appleblossom’ is wonderfully romantic, with masses of gently scented blooms held above lush, fresh green foliage.
Unlike taller varieties of flowering tobacco, the Saratoga series has a naturally bushy, compact habit, making it particularly well suited to pots, containers, window boxes and the front of garden borders.
 
The elegant, trumpet-shaped flowers open out into five-pointed stars, creating a beautiful display throughout summer and into autumn. Unlike some traditional Nicotiana varieties, the flowers are held upright and remain attractive during the day, providing colour in both sunny and partially shaded positions.
 
Perfect for soft, romantic planting schemes, ‘Saratoga Appleblossom’ combines beautifully with cosmos, snapdragons and other cottage garden favourites. The nectar-rich flowers are also attractive to pollinators, including moths.
 
When to Sow: February–April indoors
 
HOW TO SOW:
Sow indoors into trays or modules filled with fine, moist seed compost. These are pelleted seeds, so place each pellet on the surface of the compost and gently press into place. Do not cover, as Nicotiana requires light to germinate.
Keep at approximately 20–24°C, maintaining even moisture to allow the seed coating to dissolve. Do not allow the pellets to dry out during germination.
Once seedlings are established, grow on in a bright position at approximately 12–18°C. Pot on as required and gradually harden off before planting outdoors after all risk of frost has passed.
 
Classification: Half Hardy Annual
Expert Level: Easy to Grow
Germination Time: Approximately 5–14 days at 20–24°C
Flowering Time: Jul–Sep
Site: Full Sun / Partial Shade
Soil Type: Chalk / Sand / Loam
Soil Acidity: Neutral / Slightly Acidic / Slightly Alkaline
Moisture: Moist but Well Drained
 
Care: Water regularly, particularly when growing in containers. Feed container-grown plants with a balanced liquid fertiliser during the growing season. Remove faded flowers to maintain a tidy appearance and encourage continued flowering. Protect from frost.
Use: Garden Borders, Pots, Containers, Window Boxes, Pollinator Gardens
 
Days to Maturity: Approximately 9–12 weeks to flowering under favourable growing conditions
Height: 25–30cm
Plant Spacing: 25–30cm