I have spent all afternoon reading everything Google would show me under these three names, and here's what I found:
All three are genus names for the same thing, but currently the Iochroma name is the preferred one. I'll list some links at the bottom of this so you can see some pics and some of what I read. Source #2, below, lists 44 species of Dunalia, 47 of Iochroma, and 56 of Acnistus, but about 85% of them are synonyms for a basic group of seven, which I'll list here under their Iochroma names:
AUSTRALE---this one we've all seem on the link Poppysue supplied, as Acnistus australis. Apparently its flowers are put on in MUCH smaller clusters than the other species.
COCCINEA---larger cluster, longer, thinner flowers, some pics showed a light mauve-pink, another one was much darker, almost a violet color.
CYANEUM---VERY dark blue-purple, and some pics showed a slight white rim on the edges. Big clusters, and probably the best contrast with the brugs.
FUCHSIOIDES---This one had a lovely coral-colored flower, in large clusters, and oval fruit. All the above ones showed round fruit.
GRANDIFLORA----The longest flowers of all, about 3"+, and usually a bright sky blue.
UMBROSA---Also coral colored, very similar.
WARSCEWICZII---Slightly lighter than the cyaneum, looked a little wider, too.
Of course, there are some cultivars of the various species, too, but I couldn't really find any pics.
Everything I read leads me to believe they would be very happy grown exactly as brugs are---protection from the hottest sun, protection from too much wind, plenty of water but with good drainage. Most sites recommended regular pruning to keep in shape and encourage branching and flowering. They may prove more frost-tolerant than brugs, and several places I read that deer won't eat them. If you have any questions, ask me---who knows what might have stuck in my brain that I can't remember until someone prompts me!
#1 http://www-bgard.sci.kun.nl/images/bgimages.htm
#2 http://www.nybg.org/bsci/hcol/vasc/Solanaceae.html
#3 http://www.nybg.org/bsci/hcol/netr/Solanaceae.html
#4 http://users.anet.com/~manytimes/page71.html
Iochroma, Acnistus, and Dunalia
That's TOMORROW'S project, LOL! Here's #4 again---maybe it will go this time.
http://users.anet.com/~manytimes/page71.html
It's Tom Clothiers site, if it doesn't---page 71
Well, it STIll doesn't work. Wonder why?
Great research MsBatt, I found the 2nd link but not the one with all the pictures. They were all lovely. I can just visualize an area full of brugs and iochroma.
Jeanne, Kartuz has the cyaneum, fuchsioides and grandiflora.
They only have plants though, no seeds. They are $6.00 for first two and $7.50 for grandiflora in four inch pots.
They are very healthy looking plants. I hope Aga's get to her in good shape. I gave them a good drink before sending them on.
I read some where they are hardy to 17 degrees, however, I won't leave mine out to test that until I get alot more.
MsBatt,
Great information. Thanks for going to all the trouble. Will look forward to the next post. It is always fun and challenging to grow from seed.
Just had a brainstorm. On that "other" garden site, there's a California Gardening forum, but you have to live in CA to post there. (I just lurk.) I ran across a thread not too long back about Iochromas, and three or four people mentioned growing them. Well, beggar that I am, I e-mailed all three of the directly, but only one---one VERY nice guy, I might add---has replied. But it never occurred to me to ask for seeds, thinking that they were like brugs and needed hand-pollenation. Everything I ready yesterday belies that---I saw lots of pics of branches hanging full of little berries. If we have any Californians among us, let's get one of them to post there asking for seeds. Any body interested?
I've got a request for seeds and cuttings in to one person on that other site. Maybe we will luck out.
I too have at least one person talking nice about sending me some seeds and/or cuttings! Y'all keep on posting---you CAN go to that "other site" for free, y'know!