Glasshouse plants

Brugmansia x candida
Angel's trumpet

The native habitat of Brugmansia x candida (a hybrid of B. aurea and B. versicolor) is streamsides and waste ground in Ecuador.

It is a shrub, growing to 5m (17ft) tall and as much across if space allows. The large, oblong leaves (rank-smelling when bruised) are apple-green in colour. The very large, pendant white flowers are yellow in bud, occasionally pink tinged until the flower unfurls. They are extremely fragrant, especially in the evening.

There is also a double white form called 'Knightii', which is perhaps less graceful than the hybrid.

Growing conditions: Best planted in loam-based, fertile compost in the greenhouse border where it needs a winter minimum of 7ºC (45ºF). Maintain a humid environment to prevent red spider mite to which all brugmansias are prone.

Alternatively, plant in large pots, tubs or half barrels for summer display outdoors. Feed fortnightly with a liquid fertiliser as these are hungry feeders. Due to the large leaf area the plants often need large amounts of water during the growing period. They prefer full sun. Dry off plants in October and maintain frost-free, allowing plants to defoliate before cutting back and encouraging them into growth again in spring by top dressing the containers or repotting. When plants outgrow their containers, propagate from semi-ripe, heeled cuttings in July in a heated propagator and replace the old stock.

Brugmansias have interesting ethnobotanical uses in the Andes where they are associated with shamanism.

Sue Minter

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