Flowering tobacco Nicotiana sylvestris Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais Flowering tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris) nih-koe-shee-AY-nah sil-VES-tris Genus: Nicotiana This thick-stemmed annual or short-lived perennial reaches 5 to 6 feet tall, forming a large basal rosette of dark green leaves to 36 inches long. Lightly fragrant, long and tubular white flowers dangle in dense clusters from atop the tall stems. This plant starts blooming in late July or August. Flowers close in full sun. Noteworthy Characteristics: Ideal for the mixed border or semi-wild garden. Foliage may irritate skin. Care: Blooms well in part shade. Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. It may need staking. Provide a dry winter mulch where hardy. Propagation: From surface-sown seed in mid-spring. Problems: Mosaic, vein banding, etch, and ringspot viruses. Stem rot, stalk rot, downy mildew, damping off, root rot. Aphids, caterpillars, leaf miners, and spider mites. Overview Height 3 ft. to 6 ft. Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft. Light Full Sun to Part Shade Moisture Medium Moisture Characteristics Fragrant Flowers, Showy Foliage Bloom Time Summer Flower Color White Uses Beds and Borders Seasonal Interest Summer Interest Type Annuals Nicotiana sylvestrisView the discussion thread.