An Introduction to Brugmansias in Australia

Alarmingly large amounts of Australian gardeners have been infected with an addiction that has afflicted their European and American counterparts for decades. Pop into Dave’s Garden’s Aussie Forum or the defunct Ozgarden and you’ll see what I mean. Young, old, tropical, subtropical, temperate, no one is spared from the seductive highly addictive Angel’s Trumpet. For some it is their alluring scent wafting thru the evening to dawn. For others it’s the explosion of breathtaking blooms that occur often in successive waves. Either way they are left wandering in their gardens mumbling “I’ve gotta have room for just one more, just one more…”

Angel Trumpets have a long history in Australian gardens dating back to colonial times. But in more recent years Australian collectors have been importing seed in from overseas where brugs breeding is more evolved than in Oz. Brugmansia are not true to seed but instead inherit traits from their parents and grandparents. In a batch of 100 seedlings there may be only one exceptional plant. Currently in Australia there is a rainbow assortment of beautiful single flowering brugmansias and a few exquisite doubles have popped up within the last year.

Brugmansia cultivars have an international register; it’s always a good idea to see if the plant you are buying is registered and not a seedling. We only see registered brugmansia and trial them in our garden first.

Brugmansias are hardy fast growing plants once established. They grow in almost all parts of Australia with the exception of extreme arid desert and regions that have long frosty winters.

You can find our ever expanding range of brugmansias in our online plant store.

When purchasing a plant from us you will generally receive a plant in a 4inch spacer saver pot that has been cut back for transport. We recommend that when you receive your plant you water it with a weak seaweed solution. This will help ease stress and promote new leaf bud formation. You can either transplant your plant into the ground or into a larger pot. Potting mix should be a premium free draining mix.

For more information on Angel Trumpets we suggest you look at the Brugmansia Growers International website.