Nicotiana sylvestris

Description

Common names: woodland tobacco, flowering tobacco, South American tobacco

An ornamental member of the nightshade family, solanaceae, Nicotiana sylvestris is native to the Andes region. It can be a short-lived perennial in colder regions, though mulching in autumn improves its longevity. Ours have survived a few years now with natural mulching from the leaves of the oaks they are growing under.

Plants make a real statement even before they flower with their large slightly sticky leaves. Flowers are long white and tubular with a sweet scent more intense at night to attract moths for pollination. Flowering starts in summer and carries right through to autumn. Flower stems are strong and upright and do not require staking.

• Ht 1.5 meters
• Tender
• light shade
• 9 cm pot