White Flower Farm
Nicotiana sylvestris 'Only the Lonely'
Best fragrant annual for evening garden enthusiasts and pollinator lovers.
Nicotiana sylvestris 'Only the Lonely', commonly known as Tobacco Flower, is a striking annual that produces candelabra-like clusters of tubular white blossoms. These flowers emit a rich, Jasmine-like perfume, often opening in the evening, making it ideal for placement near windows or doors. The plant features splendid, large rosettes of verdant leaves, growing up to 5 feet tall. It is known to attract pollinators like hawk moths and hummingbirds. This variety is an RHS Award of Garden Merit winner and thrives in average, well-drained soil.
$12.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
61
/ 2656
#61 in Plants
Price vs Category Average
-73%
Below average
SKU
76798
/ S
Who it's for
- Landscapers desiring continuous blooms from summer through the first frost
- Gardeners seeking dramatic vertical height and architectural focal points
- Evening entertainers wanting a fragrant, sweet-smelling outdoor space
Who should skip it
- Pet owners and parents prioritizing safety in their garden beds
- Low-maintenance gardeners wanting plants that stand up on their own
- Busy homeowners unable to provide consistent watering during hot summers
Performance breakdown
Fragrance Intensity
Rich Jasmine-like perfume creates a powerful sensory experience in evening gardens.
Pollinator Attraction
Reliably draws hawk moths and hummingbirds to your outdoor space.
Visual Impact
Candelabra-like blooms and massive foliage provide a dramatic architectural presence.
Growth Potential
Reaches impressive heights of five feet with proper soil conditions.
Ease of Placement
Best suited for borders near windows to maximize evening scent enjoyment.
Garden Merit
RHS award recognition confirms superior performance and reliable plant health.
Key Specs
SKU
S76798
Ships as
1 PINT (28.86 CU IN.)
Mature Height
4-5 feet
Spacing
18 inches
Leaf size
up to 2′ long and 1′ across
Genus includes species with fragrant flowers or leaves
Features
- Highly fragrant white flowers with a Jasmine-like perfume
- Flowers often open in the evening
- Attracts pollinators, including hawk moths and hummingbirds
- Features large, verdant leaf rosettes
- Winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the dramatic height and intoxicating evening fragrance of 'Only the Lonely'. The plant delivers exceptional aesthetic value, transforming garden spaces into fragrant havens. Reliability is a strong theme; once established, these plants perform robustly throughout the season, often exceeding expectations for size and bloom duration. The quality of the stock received from the farm is frequently highlighted as superior, ensuring successful gardening outcomes.
Know before you buy
This variety is quite statuesque, typically reaching a mature height of 4 to 5 feet. Given its height, it works best as a dramatic backdrop in a garden bed or as a focal point in a large container.
The Jasmine-like perfume is most potent in the evening when the tubular blossoms open. Because of this, it is best planted near patios, windows, or doorways where you can enjoy the scent during the late afternoon and night.
You should space these plants about 18 inches apart. This allows enough room for the large, verdant leaf rosettes—which can grow up to 2 feet long—to develop fully without overcrowding.
Yes, the tubular shape and evening fragrance are specifically designed to attract nocturnal pollinators like hawk moths. Hummingbirds are also known to visit these flowers during the day.
Nicotiana sylvestris is not overly fussy but performs best in average, well-drained soil. Ensure the planting site does not stay waterlogged, as good drainage is essential for healthy growth.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$12