Re: Brugs and Frost

In a message dated 10/21/99 7:27:03 AM Central Daylight Time, 
lowery@teamzeon.com writes:

<< 
 I thought that brugmansias were very frost/temperature sensitive.  I always
 bring mine in for the winter.  In fact, I've already cut mine back and they
 are safely in my basement.  It hurt my heart because I had a couple in a
 second flush of bloom, but frost was predicted and nighttime temps have
 been in the 40's for the last two weeks.
  >>
Val - you are right in that brugs are frost and temperature sensitive but as 
Marge mentioned they are not as sensitive as one might think.  Mine are the 
first to be bit when the temps get 32 degrees or under but until them they 
keep up the performance.  

Once hit by frost - the stems usually quickly turn to mush and can no longer 
be rooted for additional plants...from the words of another "My Burgs outdoor 
for summer look like antlers with green wet tissue all over them."  So I 
always cut mine the day before the threat and root the "sticks".  I try to 
save as much of the plant as I can (2 feet) in order to have a head start on 
blooms in the Spring.

What zone are you in?  I just found out via Texas List that there is someone 
in Zone 8 who has had one in the ground for 4 years and it comes back each 
year from the roots.  I was amazed.  She says she does apply a heavy mulch 
but that is all.  If you rooted some of your cuttings and you are in a 
comparable zone, maybe you would try this with one of yours next year.

Happy Gardening

Kemberly McLain
Katy, Texas  Zone 9

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