Brugmansia is an exotic, small tropical tree in the family Solanaceae,
also commonly called Angel's Trumpet, that produces dramatic, pendant,
trumpet-shaped, fragrant flowers. They can get up to 30 feet tall when grown
outdoors in tropical and subtropical climates (more often 15-20 feet), but adapt
well to container culture, where the plants remain a much more manageable size
(4-15 feet) through pruning and root restriction.
Brugmansia is native to South America, particularly the Andes, where
they grow on sloping terrain with warm, humid days and cool nights. It is a
long-lived perennial in zone 9 and warmer. There are several species (which are
not readily available except from specialty nurseries), many of which have been
hybridized to create spectacular cultivars.
There is great diversity among Brugmansia flowers, with individual blooms ranging in size from 4" to 24" long depending on the species/cultivar. They come in many shades of white, yellow, gold, orange, peach and pink. There are singles, doubles, triples, and quadruples and a few shredded forms, and variety of funnel and trumpet shapes. Some cultivars bloom throughout the growing season, others flower in flushes every 6-8 weeks, while some only produce flowers in cool weather. Some produce lots of flowers while others have few flowers. Flowering, flower color and flower form are all affected by light levels, pH levels, nutrition, stress, temperature and humidity, so flowering may vary even for the same cultivar depending on the location and conditions where it is grown.
Fragrance varies considerably, too, with intensity ranging from none (B. sanguinea) to overpowering. The intoxicating scents are variously described as musk, lemon, mint, lily, hyacinth, citrus, jasmine, gardenia, and more. Regardless, the fragrance is most noticeable on warm summer evenings.
At one time these plants were included in the genus Datura, but
taxonomists have divided the two groups into different genera. Brugmansias are a
long-lived, woody perennial, eventually reaching heights of over 20 feet in
frost-free areas. They have downward to slightly outward-facing, large (6" to
24" long) trumpet-shaped blooms, in shades of white, cream, yellow, peach,
orange, pink, and red and rarely set seed. In contrast, Daturas are a
short-lived herbaceous perennial (they rarely live more than 3-4 years even in
frost-free areas), are usually grown as an annual, and rarely exceed heights
over 6 feet. Their smaller (2" to 8" long) white, cream, yellow, lavender or
purple flowers are held upright above the plants and set seed freely.
In the upper Midwest, in-ground or potted plants will do just fine in full
sun; in hotter climates they need afternoon shade. Container-grown plants will
enjoy being outside for the summer, but must be brought inside when temperatures
begin to cool. In the fall, move plants you wish to keep indoors before the first frost,
checking carefully for insect hitchhikers (you may wish to spray the plants to
minimize pest problems later). They can be treated as a houseplant in winter if
kept in a greenhouse or other sunny spot; otherwise they will lose most of their leaves.
They will continue to flower year-round if they get enough light and
temperatures are above about 60˚F. Provide moderate amounts of fertilizer and as
day length increases, more flowers will appear.
Unless you have the proper location, it is easiest to overwinter Brugmansia by keeping the plant in a cool, poorly lit area (such as a basement) and allowing it to go dormant, watering only as often as necessary to keep the soil barely moist. Let the leaves fall off the stems and check every few weeks to make sure the soil doesn't dry out too much. If the plants are already in containers it is not necessary to prune them except to fit into their indoor spaces. In the spring, once the danger of frost is gone, move them outside or plant in the ground for the season. Prune and shape at this time.
If you had plants
planted in the ground, in the fall they can be cut back to the soil level to create multiple
cuttings or can be dug up and potted to overwinter. The cut-off plants can
sometimes be stored over the winter in a cool, dark room where they might
produce roots and can then be potted up when they begin producing leaves the
next spring.
Wait until all chance of frost has passed before moving Brugmansias outside again, gradually increasing their exposure to sun and wind over a few days. The plants can then be pruned hard if necessary to encourage bushy growth, shape the plant or limit size.
Species can be grown from seed (hybrids cannot), but most people purchase
specific cultivars grown from cuttings. This plant is easily propagated from
stem cuttings rooted in water or in damp sand or perlite without rooting hormone
(although this can be used). Use semi-ripe wood (stems that have begun to change
color from green to brown) at least the diameter of a finger and 6-8 inches long.
Cuttings can be taken any time the plant is actively growing, and any part of
the trunk or branches can be used. Strip off all leaves and buds except the
topmost set of small leaves. Put the cuttings in 2-3 inches of water in a
brightly-lit, warm place, changing the water every day or two and keeping the
level consistent. Alternatively, insert the cuttings a third of their length
into the rooting medium, pressing the medium around the cutting, water
thoroughly, let drain completely, cover if humidity is low (not necessary when
humidity is high) and place in a bright, warm place. Pot up in medium sized pots
when roots are several inches long, usually in several weeks. Water thoroughly,
but wait until the soil becomes almost completely dry to water again until the
plant is established (to prevent root rot). Brugmansias grow quickly, so will
need to be transplanted to a larger container when the roots have filled the
smaller pot.
Brugmansia is a very heavy feeder and should be fertilized regularly, maybe as often as twice a week during the growing season (the more food, the
more flowers it will produce). It consumes amazing amounts of water, but it also
requires good drainage and does not like to stand in water, so a large plant may
require frequent watering. The leaves will droop when it needs watering, and
quickly recovers when watered. I often have to water my plants 2-3 times daily on
hot summer days. The plants will need much less water and fertilizer in the
winter (little water and no fertilizer if allowed to go dormant).
These plants are very attractive to several insect pests. Aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies and especially spider mites will ravage the plants if left unchecked. All of these pests are easily controlled with insecticidal soap, but this needs to be applied regularly to the underside of the leaves (directly onto the pests) to keep populations under control. The plant will drop its leaves when heavily infested, but generally regenerates new leaves quickly (give the plant more fertilizer when this happens). If you are growing your plants year-round (not allowing them to go dormant), be aware that insect pest populations begin to increase as day length increases, so keep on the lookout for infestations on growing plants throughout the winter, but especially in March and April.
There are many species and hundreds of cultivars and hybrids of Brugmansia
that are
available to purchase, although many retailers only offer unnamed plants by color (e.g.
white, pink, yellow). All grow to 3-6 inches in containers and bloom primarily in spring, summer and fall
(unless otherwise noted). Some of the more commonly offered or interesting ones include:
Variegated foliage occurs in several varieties including 'Miner's
Claim' (cream-margined salmon-pink flowers), 'Peaches and Cream' (cream
flowers), and 'Sunset' (pale yellow to light peach flowers).
~ Sunnie Hudson
