Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Newbie "DUH" question of the day, 1 by LouisianaSweetPea

LouisianaSweetPea wrote:
I am embarrassed to show my complete ignorance of these lovely plants, especially since I have seen such knowledgeable posts here. But my daddy always told me that there was no shame in asking questions. So here goes....

I live in coastal Louisiana and have three baby brugs in large containers. From reading the posts on this forum, I have gleaned a little information, but am still largely in the dark concerning how brugs grow.

I know you guys can help clear up my questions.

1) I have read that many people cut back their plants. Why? Can't I leave them as they are?

Which brings me to....

2) Since many talk of cutting them back, I have the impression that brugmansia are supposed to grow and bloom in one season. Is that true?

3) Has anyone in the south overwintered them outside? This past winter, we didn't have a 'hard' freeze. The peach versicolor was the only one I had at the time, and it survived my neglect and winter in a too-small container, outside. Was I just lucky?

4) If they do produce blossoms, is one supposed to remove them at some point to help the plant? Or simply leave them in place?

Thank you for any help you can provide.

Jean