Description
Flowering tobacco is an annual of the nightshade family (Solanaceae). It comes from Brazil and grows 50–60 cm tall. The leaves are alternate, entire and wavy, mostly stalkless, running down the stem at the base and forming a rosette. The flowers are radially symmetrical, in branched clusters or racemes at the top of the plant, with a long cylindrical calyx and a funnel- to saucer-shaped corolla that opens at night, when it is most fragrant.
It is planted in perennial borders and in boxes (well-branching, low varieties are best for this).
Requirements
Flowering tobacco needs fertile, humus-rich, sandy-loam, alkaline and free-draining soil and a sunny position.
Propagation
It is propagated from seed sown in March in a cool, bright room. After pricking out, the seedlings are planted in their final position in the second half of May.