Nicotiana × sanderae 'Merlin Red': Graceful and Fragrant Red Tobacco Plant

Nicotiana × sanderae 'Merlin Red' is a beautiful hybrid tobacco plant that stands out for its deep red flowers, compact growth, and sweet fragrance. This annual plant belongs to the nightshade family (Solanaceae) and is popular in gardens for its long flowering period, ornamental value, and attractiveness to pollinators. 'Merlin Red' combines color, fragrance, and ease of care, making it an ideal choice for borders, container plantings, and biodiversity gardens.

Characteristics of Nicotiana × sanderae 'Merlin Red'

'Merlin Red' is a compact, bushy plant that typically grows to 40–60 cm tall. The trumpet-shaped flowers are an intense red and emit a pleasant, sweet fragrance, especially in the evenings and mornings. The aromatic, gray-green foliage contrasts beautifully with the deep red flowers, adding texture and depth to borders and planters.

The flowers bloom from late spring to early autumn and attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. This makes the plant not only visually attractive but also ecologically valuable. Its compact size makes it perfect for both large borders and smaller container plantings on patios and balconies.

Flowering and Maintenance

Nicotiana × sanderae 'Merlin Red' is easy to grow from seeds or young plants. It thrives in well-drained, fertile soil in a sunny to partially shaded location. Regular watering is important, especially during warm spells, to ensure long-lasting blooms.

Removing spent flowers promotes new blooms and keeps the plant compact and healthy. As an annual, 'Merlin Red' completes its life cycle within a single growing season but can set seed, which will spontaneously produce new plants the following year.

Garden and Landscape Use

'Merlin Red' is versatile in the garden:

• Borders: adds colour, height and fragrance to mixed flower beds.

• Containers and bins: ideal for terraces, patios and balconies.

• Biodiversity garden: attracts pollinators and supports ecological balance.

• Evening garden: the sweet scent of the flowers makes the plant perfect for relaxing spots where you want to enjoy the garden in the evening.

The deep red flowers create a powerful colour accent in the garden, which combines well with other annuals or perennials for a lively and harmonious garden design.

Safety aspects

Although the plant is ornamental and fragrant, Nicotiana × sanderae belongs to the nightshade family and contains alkaloids. Therefore, consumption is not recommended. Touching the plant is completely safe, but children and pets should be warned not to eat any part of the plant.