Meet the Angel’s Trumpet
Angel’s Trumpet | Brugmansia spp.
How do you know it’s me?:
I am a small, woody, tropical tree.
I produce large, pendulous flowers, with a trumpet shape. Size and color of my flowers varies between species and cultivars. They are typically very fragrant (especially at night).
My flowers have points along the “trumpet” edge.
My alternate leaves are large and pointed-oval shape. Both my green stems and my leaves are fuzzy (on many varieties). Some varieties have leaves with serrated edges.
My bark is light beige-brown with obvious leaf scars.
How big do I grow?: 6’ - 20’ height and 3’ - 10’ spread.
Sun-seeker or shade-lover: Full sun in cooler climates, part shade in hotter climates.
Where I prefer to put my roots: Well-drained, rich soil that stays moist. Though I require frequent watering.
Hardiness: Zone 9 - 11
Original home: I am native to South America.
Colors: My blooms can be white, yellow, orange, or pink.
When I bloom: Most varieties bloom continually throughout the growing season.
Wildlife friends: I am highly attractive to moths, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Deer and rabbits avoid me due to my toxicity.
Flora Fun Facts: All species of Brugmansia are classified as extinct in the wild. I survive only in cultivation.
More Info: This plant thrives as a perennial in warm, frost-free climates. But can be treated like an annual or houseplant in cooler areas. At the edge of it’s hardiness zone, it can be treated like an herbaceous perennial that dies back to the root system. Sometimes it will re-sprout.
A member of the Solanaceae (Nightshade) family.
There are many sinister tales surrounding this plant. Some folklore and legends claim that the hanging trumpets draw the dead from their graves, though some see it as a symbol of protection (the intoxicating fragrance is said to ward off evil).
All parts of this plant are highly toxic (one of the most toxic ornamentals). It’s best to wear gloves when handling and pruning this plant.
This plant can be treated as a houseplant in zone 9 or cooler, and grows well in a container (with lots of space). It can also overwinter in a cool, dark area (like a basement) and allowed to go dormant for a few months (water infrequently).
Angel’s Trumpet benefits from regular fertilizing during the summer months. It can reach 30’ in height in it’s native climate!
Insect pests can be a problem (especially spider mites).
