How to Grow and Care for Angel Trumpet

Brugmansia

People love Angel's Trumpet. The flowers are attractive, and very fragrant. While you may think of Angel's Trumpet as a tree, it is really a flowering shrub. Most people view it as a tree, because the recommended way to grow it for maximum blooms, is in the form of a tree. Native to South America, this perennial shrub can grow up to 20 feet tall.

 

Angel's Trumpet is a highly attractive and popular flowering plant. It has trumpet shaped blooms, in a variety of colors including white, peach, yellow and orange. Hummingbirds are attracted to the bright blooms.

Did you Know? Brugmansia was named after Sebald Justin Brugmans, a Natural History professor in Holland.

Other Names: Trumpet of Death

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 A Highly Toxic Plant

Angel's Trumpet is a member of the Nightshade family. It includes tomatoes, potatoes, and petunias. All parts of the plant are toxic. It is recommended that gardeners use gloves when working with this plant.

Historically, it has been used as a hallucinogenic drug. It is a dangerous drug, that has caused many deaths, especially from teenagers experimenting with it after hearing rumors about it's hallucinogenic powers. It is most often ingested in the form of a tea.

If you have children or pets, we highly recommend you seriously consider the risks before growing this plant.

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Plant Propagation:

Angel's Trumpet are grown from seeds. Sow seeds directly into your flower garden after all danger of frost has past and the soil has warmed. Plant seeds 1/4" deep.  

Angel Trumpet can also be propagated by cuttings.  While pruning your plant, take some of them and root 'em in water!.

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How to Grow and Care for Angel Trumpet:

Angel Trumpet are easy to grow. They prefer full sun, but will tolerate partial shade. They grow best in damp weather conditions, with warm days and cool nights. Plants like a rich soil to fuel their fast growth. Mix a healthy dose of compost into the soil prior to planting.

Plants like a lot of water and nutrients. Keep soil moist. Add general purpose fertilizer when planting, and every two to three weeks during the season. Switch to a high phosphorous formula just before the blooming period.

Angel Trumpet Flower are often grown in pots. Make sure to use a big container for this big, fast growing plant. You may need to water it daily during hot, dry weather.

Keep the areas weeded when plants are young. A layer of mulch will keep weeds down, and create a neat appearance. The mulch also helps to feed the big appetite of this plant.

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Pruning Angel Trumpet Plants:

The trick to maximizing blooms on your Angel's Trumpet, is to prune it often. Pruning your Angel Trumpet bush into a tree shape creates the often desired appearance. Begin to prune the plant when the main trunk forms the first "Y".  Then, prune older branches, or stems, to encourage the plant to produce more branches. Flowers will eventually appear on the terminal ends of the stems.

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