Tobacco plant Starlight Dancer Seeds - Nicotiana alata

The Ornamental Tobacco 'Starlight Dancer' is a variety of Nicotiana selected for its elegant flowering. This annual plant produces hundreds of small trumpet-shaped flowers, trailing in very loose clusters, from summer to autumn. In 'Starlight Dancer', the lime green and cream star-shaped bells on the outer throat open to fragrant ivory white flowers. It easily grows from seeds and quickly blooms, ideal in rustic borders, but also lovely in bouquets, with a vase life limited to 5-7 days. 

Nicotiana 'Starlight Dancer' is a horticultural selection from Nicotiana langsdorffii and scented Nicotiana alata. Like all tobaccos, it belongs to the Solanaceae family and contains toxic compounds if ingested. The two parent species are native to Brazil. This very floriferous ornamental tobacco 'Starlight Dancer' blooms throughout the growing season, from July to October. 

Nicotianas display their inflorescences in somewhat loose racemose cymes. The long calyx composed of 5 fused sepals embraces the base of the corolla and collects tiny seeds at the end of flowering. This corolla, composed of 5 fused petals, elongatedly tubular, flares into five more or less notched lobes resembling a star and releases 5 long stamens. The leaves are often covered with a short glandular down that makes them sticky and tacky.

Nicotiana 'Starlight Dancer' is an annual plant that flowers within the year, produces seeds and then fades away. This variety produces a very notched flower whose petals, remaining fused, do not form lobes, but a 3 cm diameter star. The plant forms a loose tuft of slender and branched stems, reaching 90 cm in height when flowering.

The 'Starlight Dancer' ornamental tobacco thrives in full sun or light shade and prefers consistently moist soil, without being waterlogged, while being sheltered from strong winds. It is particularly elegant when planted in mixed borders, on the edge of flower beds, or in large containers on a patio. This variety is also prized for floral arrangements, where it is recommended to pick the flowers at their almost fully open stage for better longevity. For a successful visual composition, pair it with 'Impala' castor oil plant or 'Velvet Curtains' amaranth with burgundy leaves. Add some 'Tricolor Mix' Clary Sage for a symphony of colours and textures.

Did you know that the pollination mode of Nicotianas directly depends on the nicotine content in the flowers? Research has shown that varieties with low nicotine levels require bees, butterflies, etc. to pollinate them. The scent of the flowers is meant to attract them. But varieties with very high nicotine levels can be lethal to insects. They have then found a way by self-pollinating.

Attention, seeds reserved for experienced gardeners used to sowing very fine seeds. These seeds are as fine as dust, barely visible to the naked eye.