Angel's Trumpet, Trumpet Flower, Horn of Plenty

Angel's trumpet, also known as trumpet flower or the horn of plenty, is a tropical native that has long flowers (up to 10 inches and 4 inches across the face). It is related to Jimson weed, and, like its cousin, contains a poisonous alkaloid called hyoscyamine.

Description of Angel's Trumpet: Angel's trumpet will grow 3 to 5 feet tall and has oval leaves up to 8 inches long with toothed margins. The flowers have 5 large lobes with pointed tips. Flowers are mostly white; but there are yellow, blue, and red forms too. Double-flowered varieties that contain duplicates of the flowers inside the spreading face are also available.

Growing Angel's Trumpet: Angel's trumpet grows well in any good, moist garden soil in full sun. They're very tender -- so plant them out after all danger of frost has passed and the ground is warm. Prune freely to shape plants. To prolong bloom, remove the flowers as soon as they finish blooming to prevent seed formation. In frost-free areas, they can be overwintered outdoors. For overwintering indoors, move container plants to a cool but frost-free location and keep barely moist until spring. In late spring, cut back the plant and resume feeding and watering.

Propagating Angel's Trumpet: By seed. Start seeds indoors 8 to 12 weeks before planting out. They germinate in 8 to 15 days at 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds may be saved from blooming plants for replanting the following season.

Uses for Angel's Trumpet: Because the trumpets hang down, it is of great advantage to plant them where they can be seen at eye level -- on slopes, beside upward-leading paths, or as raised container plants.

Angel's Trumpet: Brugmansia saueolens has richly scented, white, lily-like trumpets that hang down. The flowers are intoxicatingly fragrant in the evening. Charles Grimaldi is floriferous, with cantaloupe-orange flowers. Sunset has peach-color flowers and variegated foliage. Snowbank has white flowers and creamy variegation. Brugmansia sanguinea produces the same type of flowers in orange-red. It is perennial, sometimes producing flowers the first year.

Related Varieties of Angel's Trumpet: The Ballerina series provides double flowers in white, yellow, and purple.

Scientific Name of Angel's Trumpet: Datura metel