Name That Plant VII ANSWER: Angel's Trumpet
July 28, 2010
Congratulations to Megan Kissinger for guessing correctly, a mere 5 minutes after the contest began!
Angel’s Trumpet, Brugmansia spp.
The large pendulous flowers of this large shrub will surely attract attention in your Florida yard. Growing to a height of 15 feet, angel’s trumpet makes a great accent plant for homes within zones 10-11 and have been reported to survive in zones 8B-9B. As natives of South America, they require regular watering and do best in full sun or light shade. There are several species of Brugmansia and many hybrids have been developed, each with a different color including white, peach and yellow. Blooms are at their largest at night and tend to “perk up” a bit as the sun goes down.
In a 1931 survey of the Estates, Angel’s trumpet was noted in the gardens. However, the flower color wasn’t recorded so we don’t know which species of Brugmansia the Edisons enjoyed. Today, white and peach varieties are on the grounds near the Edison Caretaker’s House. The Estates Garden Shoppe has a few angel’s trumpets for sale if you wish to plant them in your garden. Please note that all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested and some people do have skin reactions to the plant material.
