Trumpet Plant
The U.S. Department of Agriculture lists dozens of plants with "trumpet" in their common names, but the "trumpet plant" generally refers to a species of flower known as angel's trumpet (Brugmansia). Angel's trumpet has stunning white flowers, up to 20 inches long, which droop down toward the ground. The plant is a perennial in warmer climates, but prolonged freezing temperatures will kill this tender tropical. As a member of the nightshade family, all parts of angel's trumpet are toxic and can be harmful if ingested or come in contact with mucous membranes. Does this Spark an idea?
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Origins
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Angel's trumpet is native to the Andes mountain region of South America, where indigenous peoples used it for medicinal and hallucinogenic purposes. The plant is named after Sebald Justin Brugmans, a professor of natural history in Germany in the 18th century who reportedly grew many varieties of the plant in his greenhouse.
Culture and Care
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For best growth and flowering, gardeners growing Brugmansia in latitudes north of Florida should grow the plant in full sunlight. In hotter, more humid climates the plant needs strong yet filtered sunlight. Soils should be slightly on the acidic side and enriched with well-rotted humus and compost. To encourage continued blooming once angel's trumpet begins to flower in the late spring, deadhead all fading or wilting blossoms.
To keep the plant from becoming leggy, prune longer stems throughout the growing season. Cut back angel's trumpet in the late fall, and gardeners in colder climates should dig the rootstock and store it in a potting medium in a cool, dark place until spring. Angel's trumpet also performs well as a potted plant, which makes it easier to move in and out.
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Propagation
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Because many varieties of the angel's trumpet are sterile hybrids, seed is often unviable, but non-hybridized plants may self-seed freely and spread rapidly under the right growing conditions. The plant is generally best propagated from cuttings of new softwood growth in midsummer, which can be treated with rooting hormone and potted in a sterile soil mix.
Species and Cultivars
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The species of angel's trumpet most commonly available through nurseries is Brugmansia x candida, a hybrid that bears creamy white to pale yellow flowers. Seven species exist, which feature flowers ranging in color from white to pink to orange; cultivars like "Golden Queen" and "Peaches and Cream" were developed by crossing several different species together to select for different colored blooms.
Common Pests and Problems
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Angel's trumpet is attractive to quite a few garden pests, which feed on the tissues and juices of the plant. Spider mites, mealy bugs and aphids are the most common visitors, and smaller populations generally can be controlled using alcohol solutions or by spraying them with a strong stream of water. Broad-nosed weevils are also attracted to Brugmansia. Indoors, an infestation of whiteflies can quickly kill smaller plants, and colonies of scale insects also appear frequently on Brugmansias of any size. Insecticidal soaps and applications of horticultural oils may be required to control these pests.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Corps de brugmansia 2 image by sylbohec from Fotolia.com
