Nicotiana
03/10/2007
Several different colours of nicotiana flowers, are lighting up the garden this October and have been doing so for 6 weeks.
Nicotiana Mutabilis [Marshmallow]
Nicotiana 'Lime Green'
Nicotiana sylvestris.
Nicotiana is not hardy but easy from seed sown with heat in mid -spring,or so I am told. because I do not have a greenhouse and depend on others for seedlings. My local Hardy Plant Society has a 'seedling swop' each May and I have been very fortunate to get lots of little treasures in this way. In 2006 I was able to plant out several Nicotiana plantlets and was amazed by the growth of N.'Marshmallow' [Later identified as N.Mutabilis'] Two plants created a glorious 'cloud' of pink and white flowers 4ft high and wide, from the end of Aug. through to the end of Oct. Flowers start white and age through pale to a darker pink. I just loved it, and was delighted to find self sown seedlings this year. Slow at first but growth rapid as the weather warmed up, so I am enjoying them again this year.
N. 'Lime Green' is another gem, shorter but a fantastic colour that works well in so many situations.
N. sylvestris is tall and the head of hanging bright white flowers fresh against the huge green leaves. The latter are sticky,catching small insects like large , green fly paper.
