Beauteous Brugs

ooohh… they look so great in your garden – well fitting the other planting. Sometimes they look just weird if not well composed with other elements in the garden.
This post makes me even more sure, that get one for my garden. But I hesitate: should I pick white or yellow? Which one has stronger fragrance?
Greetings,
Ewa

Hi Ewa–I think every garden could find a place for a brug. A container in a seating area makes a good spot. In addition to white and yellow, there are also pinks and a whole range of peachy colors. I’ve gown about a dozen cultivars, but my favorite for vigor and fragrance is ‘Charles Grimaldi.’ A yellow, ‘Inca Sun’, is also excellent–it blooms more regularly than most others.–Steve

They are beautiful! I have a neighbor, a real plantsman, who cares for one and puts it in the ground each year. I’ve been afraid to try, but if you can grow them in Connecticut, I should be able to grow one in Maryland. I have a basement . . . . .

Then make use of that basement, Kim! These things really hang on. Once I went to check my basement plants in early February, when these things are usually just sticks, and there in the darkness was a single albino flower dangling from one of the branches. That’s determination.–Steve

I got my first two this year and while they have bloomed, not nearly as profuse as your photos. do you find they are heavy feeders?

One note they are poisonous so perhaps not a good choice for gardens with small children.

Hi–Yes, Brugmansias are the kind of plant people are talking about when they are talking heavy feeders. Mine get planted in compost rich soil and fertlized whenever I think of it; those in pots get a drenching with liquid soluble 20-20-20 weekly. To get really dramatic displays you do need a larger plant, and that usually entails overwintering them for a year or two.
Yes they are poisonous, and hallucinogenic. Garden designer and author Gordon Hayward once told me he has a friend who made a long car trip with brug in the vehicle, and that the guy got quite sick. That said, I’ve had no ill effects from working with them. I do have one friend who made a psychedelic compound that he ingested; said it was very unpleasant. They are discussed inthe Carlos Castaneda books.
Anyway, I’m the father of a 10-year old and have gardened full tilt through his whole life, and I wonder: Do people really have problems with kids eating their plants? And do they get rid of all their foxgloves and other common but toxic plants? But yes, I suppose theit toxicity is a good thing to note.–Steve

All I can say is “wow”! those are amazing. I wish they grew like that in Texas! mine struggle through the summer then put on a brief show (nothing like what you posted) in the fall, then die back again…some years are better than others.
Amazing, I am jealous.

Thanks, after years of trying to grow these as heat-loving tropicals I realize they actually prefer somewhat cool conditions-which must be in short supply in Texas. Might be worth looking around to see if there are any cultivars better suited to heat.–Steve

Your Brugs are spectacular! I love the meaning the villager gave to you about them, ” They protect our dreams” beautiful sentiment. I have 4 different varieties so i must be really protected 🙂 . There is nothing like seeing and smelling this bloom on a summers full moon evening, a gift from above.
What a great garden and blog you have created!
Karrita of http://mymothersgardens.blogspot.com/
http://www.mymothersgarden.net

Mine are several years old I think. Bought them at at plant sale with inch thick plus stems already 3 ft. tall.

I expect mine need more fertilizer to bloom like yours but they have been lovely all summer.

I have an 8 year old and a garden full of things that should not be ingested—lantana, brugs, and solanum jasminoides to name a few.

I always supervised her outdoors when little. Now at 8—she knows not to taste anything unless approved by mom unless it something in the veggie containers.