Brugmansia

Extraordinary small bushy tree that can grow 8 to 10 feet tall and 7 to 8 feet wide and covered with fragrant, huge dangled trumpet shaped blooms all summer.  Flowers are fragrant, more so in the evening hours.

 

Angel trumpets will tolerate full sun to partial shade, can be grown in containers, or may be planted in the ground.  Though since the plant is not winter hardy in our Zone (6 to 7) it’s best to keep it in containers so plants are more transportable to bring inside before frost.

 

Always water thoroughly when soil is dry over the top third.  DO NOT LET THE SOIL DRY OUT. Fertilize frequently with 20-20-20 or use a blossom booster especially in spring to fall. Most Angel Trumpets can grow and flower all year round if not exposed to damaging temperatures below freezing.

 

To over winter, and if a sunny location isn’t available, cut the plant back to whatever height you desire.  Root whatever you cut off because the tops are the flowering part of the plant.  Root in a well-drained loose potting medium and use root tone, a rooting hormone.  Keep medium slightly moist, in bright light, but out of the sun.

 

Growth will cease when plants are stored at temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees, so plants can tolerate low light for extended periods.  Your plant will go dormant, there will be major leaf loss, and it will look awful!  Do not fertilize during winter storage.  Water sparingly – may be between 4 to 6 weeks between waterings.

 

If you don’t want your plant to go dormant, keep it in a sunny location, and let it grow (cut back if too tall or too wide).  It will likely lose a lot of leaves, but new ones should grow, and possibly may send out a few flowers over winter.  Fertilize and water in small doses, spray the foliage top and bottom with water frequently to discourage insects. All parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested.