Nicotiana sylvestris Play pronunciation

White shooting stars, or flowering tobacco plant, is a tender, rosette-forming perennial native to Northwest Argentina and Bolivia and belongs to the nightshade family (Solanaceae). It grows upright, 3 to 5 feet tall, with clusters of fragrant, trumpet-shaped white flowers blooming from summer to fall and large, coarse, oblong or spatulate bright green leaves. The flowers have an intoxicating, sweet jasmine-like fragrance into late summer when many other blooms fade. The genus name Nicotiana honors the French ambassador to Lisbon, Jean Nicot, who introduced tobacco to France in the 1500s. The specific epithet sylvestris means "forest-loving."

It does best in organically rich, consistently moist, well-drained soil in full sun, and will appreciate some partial shade in the south's hot afternoon sun. Removing spent blooms will encourage flowering. Its upright habit might require staking.  It reseeds fairly easily and will naturalize in the landscape. It is winter-hardy in zones 10-11, and may be planted as an annual in North Carolina.

White shooting stars offer showy blooms and a sweet fragrance that will be enjoyed along walkways, near patios, or in nighttime gardens. Consider it for border plantings and cottage gardens. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Aphids, thrips, whiteflies, leafhoppers, and beetles can be occasional problems. Susceptible to gray mold and viruses. Do not plant near other members of the nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant, etc.) because the tobacco mosaic virus and other diseases may be transmitted.

If ingested, toxic to humans, cats, dogs, and horses.

Contact dermatitis: Avoid skin contact. Wear gloves and protective clothing when handling this plant. Glandular hairs on the leaves are sticky and may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.