Description
Nicotiana (Nicotiana langsdorffii x Nicotiana Alata) | Tobacco hybrid ‘Starlight Dancer’
There are over 65 species of Tobacco that hail from Australia, North America, and tropical South America. They are attractive plants with beautiful flowers and appealing foliage. All of them have tubular or trumpet-shaped flowers that come in nearly every color and most often open during the evening and and nighttime hours, sometimes releasing a pleasant fragrance. They can be used as specimen or bedding plants, in borders, woodland gardens, in containers, or for planting in masses or even as a focal point.
‘Starlight Dancer’ is a new tobacco variety that hails from the Netherlands. It’s a cross between N. langsdorffii and N. Alata (Flowering/Jasmine Tobacco). The graceful, long, tall stems hold bright white trumpet-shaped flowers with pale chartreuse throats and lime-green backs. This variety gets its name from the nodding white flowers that seem to be dancing freely in the breeze. The dainty star-shaped blooms add an element of brightness and movement to arrangements. Evening gardens will come alive when this beauty takes the stage, opening in the late afternoon hours. Try to site near patios with other fragrant night bloomers or in color themed white gardens, where touches of lime, and other light hues are welcome.
‘Starlight Dancer’ tobacco is loved by pollinators and hummingbirds. Will flower all summer long when deadheaded regularly. Makes a great cut flower for floral bouquets.
Start seeds indoor 6-8 weeks before last frost, or direct sow outdoor once soil temperatures warm up. Do not cover tiny seeds with soil. Needs light, humidity and heat to germinate, or direct sow outdoors after last frost.
Attracts bees, moths and hummingbirds. Deer resistant.
Type: Annual
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Mature height: 3-3.5 ft
Mature width: 12-18 inches
Hardiness zones: 10-11
Please note: All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested. All tobaccos should be considered poisonous to consume (smoking brings its own risks); some are extremely poisonous and have caused fatalities. Poisoning through intentional or accidental misuse of nicotine and products containing it is a relatively common occurrence. Related species may contain other toxic alkaloids, chemically similar to nicotine, so it is for this reason we suggest that you enjoy Nicotiana ‘Starlight Dancer’ and other ornamental species of tobacco for their flowers only. Do NOT smoke these leaves.