It's a Brugmansia (probably B. aurea), commonly known as Angel's Trumpet. I wasn't really aware it was there until it bloomed and then it couldn't be ignored. The plant is over 7 feet tall. The blooms hang about 15 inches from their leaf joints and the trumpet-shaped flowers are about 8 inches long. Despite the minor ownership issue, it's my contribution to the favorite plant meme sponsored by Loree of danger garden.
I had a peach colored Brugmansia many years ago in a large pot on a small side yard porch. As I recall, I got rid of it when we screened in the side yard as an outdoor space for 2 trouble prone adolescent cats I'd adopted. All parts of the Brugmansia are poisonous if swallowed and these cats were not to be trusted.
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| Max & Ming, the troublesome cats in question |
After seeing my neighbor's plant in bloom, I'm thinking of getting a Brugmansia to put in a large container in what is currently a rather dull area of my garden, a partially shaded section bordering the street, which thus far has received limited attention.
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| This area still needs serious work |
The Brugmansia is native to the tropical areas of South America. Most are fragrant, especially in evening hours when they attract pollinating moths. They can tolerate a range of sun conditions, from full sun to partial shade but they require regular water. They're hardy in USDA zones 8-11 and Sunset zones 12,13, 16-24, and H1-2.
You can view Loree's favorite plant this week and link to other gardeners' favorites at Loree's danger garden blog.
Max and Ming are adorable! And quite unique to feature a neighbours plant as ones fave plant of the week :)
ReplyDeleteSadly, both cats came to me with a host of ailments. One of these ended Max's life prematurely 5 years ago. (He's the one with his tongue out in the picture.) Ming is still with us, requiring more meds than my husband and I combined, but he's hanging in there.
ReplyDeleteSorry about Max, he and ming sure were cute together! Brugmansia is one of my favorite plants too. That fragrance is pretty spectacular!
ReplyDeleteThat's one downside of having the plant in my neighbor's yard - it's more difficult to stick my nose into the flowers!
DeleteI don't know which is more fabulous the plant or the cats...sorry to read that Max is no longer with you.
ReplyDeleteI love the over-the-top sexiness of this brugmansia, just so bold and beautiful. And I'm glad the fact that it's your neighbors plant didn't stop you from calling it your fav...anyone who has great plants next door is lucky! (makes me think of our neighbors big palm...)
"Borrowed views" should count, shouldn't they? Anyway, I'm now on a hunt to pick up a Brugmansia of my own.
DeleteBrugmansia are an expensive annual here. But they do add a cool tropical vibe. :o)
ReplyDeleteYes, now I just need to create a properly tropical setting for one - and I think I've identified just the right location for that.
DeleteI have flirted with buying a brugmansia, too. The ones I have seen were quite pricey, but the huge trumpet shaped flowers may be worth it. The cat picture is adorable!
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky that they'll over-winter outdoors here without difficulty so I can justify the price as an investment...
DeleteBrugmansia will probably be my favorite plant in the garden every week now til frost. At some point I'll move it into the garage then eventually cut it way back and toss it in a closet in my basement. Poisonous yes-I only grow it out of reach of the dog. Catzilla is on his own.
ReplyDeletePretty cats-are they part Siamese?
When I got the cats from a local rescue operation, I was told that they were Lynx-point Siamese. Both cats had serious health problems from the start. Max died of heart failure shy of his 7th b-day. His litter-mate, Ming, now 12, has both a heart problem and what the vet thinks is IBD, which isn't helped by all the plants he tries to chew.
DeleteAngel trumpets do not harm cats. I know this firsthand, so you can calm your fears. And your neighbor's tree is really beautiful. Nice blog :)
ReplyDelete