Re: Brugmansia (and Datura?)

Hi Kurt - 

With regard to your Brugmansias in pots, see this old posting of mine to
the group on this topic.  Also note the point about pruning into a
'standard' - these plants naturally grow new trunks from their bases,
hence the ease in which they regenerate from roots after a hard freeze.
I think you'd have less success with a rigorous training, unless it was
with a new shoot each year.  A multi-stemmed plant will naturally be
fuller at the top and somewhat tree-like, even though with more than a
single trunk.  I also have found that in the case of a hard freeze,
this type of plant in a pot is much more likely to be killed as the
roots will tend to freeze badly being exposed to the cold on all sides.
Those in the ground, and under a heavy mulch, tend to get through a
cold period more easily.  But you can always move a pot into some
protection during the winter (high maintenance for a big pot and somewhat 
risky if you don't manage to do it in time, as would likely be the case
with 'yours truly'!).

The B. candida tends to like cooler temps more than the other.  It might
sulk in the high heat of summer.  This might be why you don't see them as
much in your area.  They grow easily and happily in San Jose which gets a
bit of summer cooling from occasional fog.

There are various species of Datura, annuals or short-lived perennials,
which have upturned trumpets similarly fragrant and beautiful (depending
upon the species or form).  There are also double forms of these, some
deeply suffused purple or yellow.  This group (of which Brugmansia was
once considered are part of by botanists) grows easily in the hot interior
of California (where you live) and some are even considered weeds in
farmlands (poisonous to livestock).  While some are rather 'weedy' in their
appearance, others are cultivated as ornamentals throughout the world and
have an interesting (if somewhat sinister) beauty that is quite appealing.
As mentioned, all of these plants have some hallucinogenic properties and
are sometimes illegal to cultivate for that reason.  Can be fatally toxic.

Sean O.

on 27 Jun 1995 15:37:16 GMT, Bill Gingras said:
> I recently purchased an Angel's Trumpet plant (actually a type of
Brugmansia)
> that is about two feet tall.  I saw this plant growing in Hawaii as a small
> tree and it was quite spectacular.
>
> I'd like to know how this plant, which is actually a shrub, can be "trained"
> to grow tree-like.  Is it just a matter of clipping the side shoots off
until
> it attains the desired height, or is it more complicated than that?  I'd
also
> like to know if this plant can bounce back from a Winter conditions where it
> gets some frost, but temperatures rarely below 30 degrees F.  I don't know
> my zone, but I live in San Jose, CA.
>
> Thanks,
> - Bill G
> PS - How does the toxicity of this plant compare to, say, oleander?

Bill -

(I'm cc'ing this to the Medit-Plants group as I think they'd also be
interested - let me know if you want more information)

First of all, I'm not sure who it would actually compare in
toxicity, but it is indeed a very poisonous plant.  Ingestion of
almost any part, leaf, flower or seed, would not be advised under
any circumstances.  I have not heard of any poisonings locally with
this plant as the culprit, but be warned in any case.  In Florida,
there is apparently a group of teenagers who caught on to the
hallucinogenic properties of these plants as used by native peoples,
but the dosage is so tricky, it is generally a fatal high!  Florida
is now working on laws to forbid planting of some of these species.

Brugmansias grow easily in our area (I'm north or you in Oakland)
and do not require any special consideration for frost except in the
coldest areas or in very cold years.  They are best grown where they
will get some heat (to grow and bloom well) and a wide root run and
occasional water (they will accept a lot of water but can grow well
with average amounts).  The shrubs naturally grow very tall (8-12ft)
with a gracefully arching shape.  I'd discourage pruning to create a
'standard' tree shape, and just allow them to assume their natural,
multi-trunked, vase shape instead.  This way you'll get many more
flowers and the plant will be in better shape.  Occasional removal
of the oldest stems when the plant is starting to grow in the spring
will help to keep the plant healthy and blooming well.  There are
many new hybrids in various colors and degrees of fragrance (the
parent responsible for the color, B. sanguinea, is scentless).

What species/form did you purchase - does it have a cultivar name?

<snip>  I have a 5-6ft B. candida (the most fragrant species, with
huge, very pendant white flowers - in this plant 'doubled', i.e. one
inside the other, creating a 'ruff' at the throat).  It is growing
in a 1/2 wine barrel and doesn't seem to like the limited root area
or the south-western exposure it receives (it wilts each day).  They
plant is healthy otherwise, but would be happier in the ground and
in a more moderate exposure.  <snip>

Sean A. O'Hara                       sean.ohara@poboxes.com
h o r t u l u s   a p t u s          710 Jean Street
'a garden suited to its purpose'     Oakland, CA 94610-1459, U.S.A.
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