Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 8-10 where plants are typically grown as shrubs or small trees to 15’ tall in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. In St. Louis, growing options include: (1) grow in large containers or tubs which must be overwintered indoors in bright, sunny locations or in greenhouses or (2) grow in the ground and lift plants in fall before first frost for overwintering in a cool, frost-free location (40°F) with very minimal watering. During the growing season, plants are heavy feeders that need regular fertilization to stimulate new growth and flowers.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Angel’s trumpet is a tropical shrub that, in the St. Louis area, typically matures to 5-10’ tall and features huge, nodding, trumpet-shaped, white flowers (to 12” long) from mid-summer to fall. Flowers emit a strong fragrance in evenings. Ovate to oblong leaves (to 8” long). In the first year, plants will typically grow to 3’ tall with minimal flowering. In the second year, plants will grow taller with more profuse flowering. Synonymous with and formerly known as Datura suaveolens.
Genus name honors Sebald Justin Brugmans (1763-1819) a professor of natural history at Leiden.
Specific epithet means sweet-scented.
Problems
Watch for caterpillars, spider mites and whiteflies, particularly on overwintering plants.
Uses
Container plant for patios, decks or other sunny locations around the home. Accent shrub in Zones 8-10.