What Is the Name of a Trumpet Plant With Different Colors?

Datura Versus Brugmansia

• Datura is characterized by very large trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom at night and shrivel up and close early the next morning. Unlike Brugmansia, Datura flowers point upward. Wildflower Datura is usually white and sometimes tinged with purple. Brugmansia often grows to the size of small trees. It is a tropical-looking plant that is known for the large downward hanging fragrant trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom all day long. It isn't uncommon for many Brugmansia flowers to be in bloom at the same time. Seed pods of Brugmansia plants are oblong and hang down whereas seed pods on Datura plants are round or oval and form at the site of previous blooms. Datura seed pods are covered with sharp thorns.

Brugmansia Care

• Brugmansia plants require a substantial amount of care. During the peak of the growing season, they need frequent deep watering and benefit from fertilizer treatment about every two weeks. Brugmansia is capable of growing to a height and width of 5 feet or as large and wide as 10 to 12 feet. Leaves can grow to as much as 1 foot in length. Brugmansias do best in full sun, although moderate protection from the high afternoon sun is beneficial. They do best in well-drained but moist soil that is enriched with a significant amount of organic matter.

  During the peak of the growing season (spring into fall), plants need plenty of water and fertilizer treatment every two weeks. In addition to an all-purpose fertilizer, plants benefit from bloom-boosting fertilizer with a high phosphorus content, especially during the blooming period. Once plants stop blooming, there is no longer a need to fertilize, and the frequency of watering can be lessened.

Insects and Pests

• Aphids, mealybugs and whiteflies are common insect problems associated with growing Brugmansias. Insecticidal soap is an effective method for combating these insect problems. To avoid burning leaves, spray plants early in the morning or late in the evening. Tomato hornworms and the hawkmoth larva are also potential problems with Brugmansia plants. A hawkmoth can do significant damage very quickly.

Propagation Methods

• For a Brugmansia plant to be true to the parent plant, propagation is done by cutting. Cuttings are taken from dormant plants and should include live green plant tissue in addition to woody stems. Cuttings root easily in water or when planted directly in dirt. Keep soil consistently moist for unrooted cuttings. Plants are also grown from fresh seeds, but seed-grown plants aren't true to the parent plant.