Friday, August 26, 2011

Candelabra Nicotiana sylvesteris

Nicotiana sylvesteris is a cool unusual annual. It self-seeds in my garden every year just when I thought it is not showing up, it shows up in late August.  I move it around the garden for a late summer into fall blooming, it grows very fast.  It's 4-6' tall and an elegant looking plant and passers by stop to ask what it is. It is poisonous if ingested and I have to handle it with gloves because it gives me an awful rash so it's probably not good around children. I like having it show up so I can move it around the garden to fill in empty spots to prolong the gardening season. It takes sun to partial shade and moderate watering, don't over water though.