I have a question: why do you folks love brugmansias so much? When we moved in here I inherited 5 of them, about 8 feet tall, maybe 4 to 5 feet wide (this is Los Angeles). There are some positive aspects to them, in full bloom they're beautiful and scent on summer evenings is lovely. But: they're water guzzlers, which in our climate is no joke, out of bloom they're scraggly and funny looking, the mess from fallen flowers is a lot of work to clean up, they get red spider mites, and you have to be careful when working with them since they're so poisonous. I've kept them out of respect for what I suspect in an original white garden in our 1910 garden (don't laugh, in CA that's old), but they sure are a pain. Please explain why you love them so much, as evidenced by the fact that this forum usually has more posts than any other.
Why so crazy for brugmansias?
LOL. I know what you mean. Here where I live they are not thought of as great either, but as a messy plant! The older houses have them. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder! LOL! But one that is well grown is beautiful to me. The tree form also to me looks much neater and can make a bold statement in your border without looking like it is messy and all over. I love them because they are gaudy with their frequent huge blooms and can smell like heaven. They are so quick growing and forgiving. Spidermites seems to be the main negative for me.
They hold my interest because they are so easily hybridized and within a year you can see your new ones flower! So they provide beauty, fun, anticipation, excitement and quick gratification! Also in some varieties the blooms truly are spectacular and when well grown are an awe machine all season long!
It's funny cause i've been thinking alot about this lately! Why do I Love & Grow Brugmansia and not something else? Maybe it's because...
1. They're Exotic/Tropical
2. They grow so easily and fast from cuttings!
3. They're extremely easy to hybridize!
4. They're big! LOL
5. They're rare seen here in Ireland!
Yes they're messy, overly vigorous, drink gallons, need constant feeding, Pest magnets, extremely prone to viruses, frost tender and take up alot of space...
..but I sure love'em! LOL
Best wishes,
Bruno
Yes, they do require work but they do reward you for it.If they are well cared for they don't look straggly. Evidently you are only familiar with the white ones in your area. Take a look at the Brugmansia.com at the top of this forum and also look here http://www.brugmansias.org/galleryindex.html
And this is what they should look like in a landscape with good care. http://davesgarden.com/t/199713/
Hope this explains why we love Brugmansias.
The photo was beautiful. Mine are the multi trunked form. They are well cared for and actually do look wonderful when in bloom. That doesn't negate the look when out of bloom, the mess, etc. Thanks for letting me know your opinions.
Jenniferch, brave of you to pose this question here on the Brug Forum. Besides the downsides already listed, there is something disturbing about flowers that hang down, facing the ground, or hell if one prefers... I decided not to bother with them again, after last years red spider mite incidents, and endless watering. Somehow, however, there are a dozen varieties being overwintered in the house, flats of hybrid seedlings under lights, and a growing wish-list. I have no explanation... I am however adding some Datura this year, the doubles look especially promising, and facing the heavens like a good plant should.
Jenniferch,
If you think Brugs are a pain in Ca you should live in the heat and humidity of the deep south. I think they are the biggest challenge I have ever had and to me that makes it all worth while.
LOL Pardancanda................. never thought of that before.....heaven and hell!