Our Brugmansia seed range is always popular and we are able to offer a valuable range of mixed Hybrid Brugmansia seeds again this year. Feedback from our customers continues to be very positive about the results. Some years ago the classification of the tree type of Datura was moved to Brugmansia leaving the annual and highly poisonous “Thorn Apple” under the Datura classification. Brugmansias originate from South America; a shrubby, tree like plant capable of achieving 30ft in the wild, the genus is highly confusing and it has taken me some time to unscramble the available information. We offer an excellent book on the subject of Brugmansia and Datura if you want to know more about these plants.

Brugmansia are large shrubs which take some light frosts (-5°C) and, if protected with straw or similar material can tolerate even lower if cut back to a foot or so high and allowed to regrow after winter has passed. Alternatively keep in a cold greenhouse over winter. From my own experience light pruning and not allowing the plants to become pot bound will encourage a more shrubby habit and the plant will flower earlier and more profusely. Plants grown from seed reach 6ft in their first year if sown early and although some will flower in the first year, most will come into flower the following autumn.