Through the garden gate with an exotic victorian: angel trumpet

Close your eyes and say “Victorian garden” out loud. Is it a romantic image of climbing roses and sweet-faced pansies you see? Perhaps a potted fern or a tussie mussie brimming with violets? Now what about pampas grass, castor bean and banana plants? Hmm… I thought not.

The Victorians loved the bold, the grand and the dramatic in their gardens. The invention of the portable greenhouse, called the Edwardian case, had increased the range of plant possibilities by the mid-19th century, and specimens from Australia, South America, and Africa became readily available. The Victorians went crazy for the exotic.

If you are also moved by a strong desire for the exotic; one blessed with more than the generally allotted share of presence and old style, I shout to you, “Brugmansia!”

Brugmansia was discovered in South America by Alexander Von Humboldt and Aime Bonpland in the early 19th century. All five species belong to the nightshade family. Narcotic and hallucinogenic compounds make all parts of Brugmansia extremely poisonous to humans.

Most commonly known as Angel Trumpet, this attractive plant has absolutely everything drama-loving gardeners past or present could wish for. It is hauntingly beautiful with generous amounts of hanging bell-shaped fleshy flowers that reach twenty inches in length. The flowers are especially fragrant in the evening hours and even more so during a full moon.

It is perfect as a specimen planting or when mixed with other plants in your landscape. Happy in full sun or partial shade, it will stretch four to six feet in a summer. And, while tropical, Angel Trumpets can survive further north. Leaves may drop in a cold snap and stems will freeze in temperatures below 27°, but new growth can be counted on in spring.

Don’t you want to leave those things to chance? In that case, place your angel trumpet in a large container that can be moved inside during the winter months.

It can be difficult to grow from seed and will certainly require the most patient gardeners, but it is easily grown from cuttings and is a treasure to behold. Start new plants by taking a 4-6″ cutting of mature growth with “nubbies” and small white spots clearly visible. Cut above a Y where new branches would form and remove all but the smallest leaves. in a glass container filled with water at normal room temperature.

Once established, plant in a 2-4″ pot and place in dappled shade, fertilizing only once you see definite signs of new growth. By the end of the second week, your Angel Trumpet should be ready for a little more light. direct and four to four. five weeks ready to transplant into your garden or a 1-3 gallon container Fertilize twice a week during spring and summer, remembering this is a nitrogen loving plant If you pass the winter indoors, cut back to two feet, forgo fertilizing, and water lightly only when needed.

While Victorian gardeners were very fond of the eerie white flowers of B Suaveolansthe following cultivars would surely have pleased them and will probably please you too.

– Charles Grimaldi: medium sized with flowers that open lemon yellow and mature to a deep pumpkin

– John Pasco: One of the largest flowered cultivars with pale pink flowers up to 12″ wide.

– Pink Badges: A vigorous grower with light pink apple blossoms.

– Dr Seuss: If you’re only going to have one, this could be your pick: a heavy, extremely fragrant bloomer. The huge yellow flowers mature into a pale orange sherbet.

If it piques your interest, check out Ulrike Preissel’s book Brugmansias and Daturas, or visit AmericanBrugmansia-DaturaSociety.org for more information. Now you’re ready to jump into the world of Brugmansia’s!