Angels' Trumpets (Brugmansia)

One of our staffers clearly remembers the first time she saw Angels' Trumpets growing. A stellar example, with dozens of luscious salmon blossoms, was visible through the glass walls of a greenhouse on a back country road in New England. She saw the vision as she drove by, whipped her car off the road, screeched into the parking lot and ran inside to get a better look. (Fortunately, no local police were cruising by at the time - she would have had some explaining to do.)  Amazed, she talked with one of the employees who explained that this was a quick growing tropical plant, that it had a wonderful fragrance, most pronounced late in the day ("after I'm home from work", our staffer thought) and that that in warm settings it would bloom for months. That was it. Our staffer was smitten. A goner.

If you, too, are taken with big, showy plants, they don't get much more dazzling than Angels' Trumpets. Grow them outside in large containers during the summer and, if you live where the temperature dips in the fall, move them indoors to a greenhouse, conservatory or bright sunroom. Or if you're fortunate enough to garden in zones 9-10, just situate one, or several, close to where you relax at the end of the day. You will be impressed.

Safety note: While we don't recommend eating any of our plants, except where explicitly stated as safe, this plant is toxic if ingested. Keep away from little kids who tend to be taste testers.

Note: Angels' Trumpets are shipped from late February through June.