Name:   Nicotiana mutabilis aka Nacotiana ‘Marshmallow’

Type of Plant:  An annual in colder climates, a perennial in Zones 8 to 10. Self-seeding, growing in full sun to part-sun.

Why I Love This Plant: Here is, the end of October, and I’m raving about an annual that continues to plant itself in my gardens years after I purchased seeds and grew this one spring.

I love the fact that you can have these Nicotiana in the garden all summer and into the cool fall. I love that the hummingbirds feed on them, and that in late-fall they are there to support late-to-migrate birds.

A Word to the Wise:  Here’s what you need to know: You need to buy seeds and start them because you won’t find this at most garden centers.

Scatter the seeds on the tops of the potting soil in your flats or pots, and don’t cover them.

Transplant young Nicotiana plants into your gardens and don’t deadhead so that they are able to scatter seeds.

When the seeds you grow germinate, take photos so that you’ll remember what the seedlings look like when young. That way, you’ll be able to recognize them in the garden when they appear.

How many annuals can you appreciate for self-seeding, hummingbird feeding, and flowering through October? Not many, but Nicoctiana mutibillis is one. Easy to grow from seed.

The flowers start out white and then transform to pale pink and bright pink.

I love this plant!