Angel's trumpet (Brugmansia × candida)
Grow the dramatic Brugmansia × candida, or Angel's trumpet, for showy, fragrant white, yellow, or pink flowers in warm climates.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The tropical shrub or small tree known as Angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia × candida) is prized for its towering, nodding, trumpet-shaped flowers, often reaching up to 12 inches in length. This spectacular hybrid is generally evergreen in suitable climates, offering stunning visual impact throughout the growing season. Its massive blooms put on a performance from mid-summer until fall, rewarding gardeners with intense evening fragrance.
As an impressive specimen plant, Brugmansia × candida commands attention whether planted in the ground or housed in large containers. Native to Ecuador, this plant thrives in warmth and sun, but requires specific winter protection outside of warmer zones. Gardeners should be prepared for medium maintenance, particularly in selecting the right location and ensuring adequate feeding to support prolific flowering.
This Angel’s trumpet hybrid is an excellent choice for creating an exotic focal point on patios or decks, providing both scale and powerful olfactory appeal in the warm evening air. Successful cultivation of Brugmansia × candida relies on understanding its need for rich soil and consistent moisture when actively growing.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Solanaceae
- Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Native Range: Ecuador
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 8-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 5-10 ft
- Spread: 3-5 ft
- Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
- Bloom Description: White, yellow, pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting Brugmansia should occur in spring after all danger of frost has passed, positioning it in organically rich, well-drained soil. While these plants prefer a full sun location, ensure the soil retains medium moisture consistently throughout the growing season. For areas colder than Zone 8, treat your Angel’s trumpet as a magnificent annual, or prepare for overwintering.
During the active growing season, Brugmansia × candida are heavy feeders. You must apply regular fertilization to stimulate continuous new growth and abundant flower production. Water requirements are medium, but never allow the soil to dry out completely when flowering is underway, especially for container specimens.
Coastal or Zone 8-10 growers can establish Brugmansia × candida as a small tree reaching up to 15 feet if undisturbed. If ground-planted in cooler regions, plan to lift the plants in the fall before the first frost. Overwintering requires a cool, frost-free location (around 40°F) where watering is kept minimal until spring growth resumes.
Landscape Uses
Angel’s trumpet excels as a strong container plant placed prominently on decks, patios, or other sunny spots where its massive flowers can be easily appreciated. For gardeners in USDA Zones 8-10, Brugmansia × candida makes an outstanding accent plant in the landscape, anchoring borders or serving as a vertical specimen that mimics a small tree structure.
When growing in the ground, pair this dramatic foliage and flower structure with lower-growing companion plants that can handle similar growing conditions, such as heat-loving tropicals or robust annuals. Since the intense fragrance of Brugmansia is strongest in the evening, consider planting it near outdoor seating areas or entryways to maximize enjoyment of this characteristic. Remember that any plant grown in the ground outside its ideal zones must be carefully lifted in autumn.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Brugmansia × candida, an Angel’s trumpet hybrid derived from B. Aurea and B. Versicolor, establishes itself as a tropical shrub or tree potentially reaching 5-10 feet tall in many garden settings. It delights gardeners with huge, nodding, trumpet-shaped flowers, measuring up to 12 inches long, that appear from mid-summer into fall. Flowers often appear in shades of white, yellow, and pale pink, with some cultivars offering double blooms, releasing a potent fragrance primarily during the evenings.
Potential Problems
Watch carefully for common pests such as caterpillars, spider mites, and especially whiteflies. These pests can become problematic when the plant is moved indoors for overwintering if proper sanitation is not observed before bringing the Brugmansia × candida inside. Inspect foliage thoroughly before moving overwintering plants back outdoors in spring.
Tolerances
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Angel’s trumpet suitable for?
Brugmansia × candida is winter hardy only in USDA Zones 8 through 10. Gardeners outside this range must treat it as a container plant or lift it for winter dormancy indoors.
How large does Angel’s trumpet grow?
When grown as a standard shrub or small tree, this plant typically reaches a mature height between 5 and 10 feet, spreading 3 to 5 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Angel’s trumpet need?
This striking plant requires full sun exposure throughout the entire growing season to produce its best flower display.
When does Angel’s trumpet bloom?
The Angel’s trumpet is a seasonal bloomer, actively flowering from mid-summer well into the fall, offering colors like white, yellow, and pink.
Conclusion
The sheer scale and intoxicating evening perfume of its blossoms make Brugmansia × candida a show-stopping addition to any garden in warm climates. Whether you are cultivating this Angel’s trumpet as a dramatic, in-ground feature or managing it carefully through winter in a container, it provides unparalleled tropical flair. Before planting, always confirm your local hardiness zone compatibility to ensure the best success with this magnificent subtropical specimen.
Companion Planting
Selecting appropriate neighbors is key when growing Brugmansia × candida, especially in sunny, warm locations. Look for plants that share similar needs for rich soil and consistent moisture, such as Cannas, tropical Hibiscus, or large-leafed Elephants’ Ears (Colocasia). Smaller, shade-tolerant annuals placed around the base can help keep the root zone cool during the height of summer heat.
Container Growing
Growing Brugmansia × candida in containers is highly recommended for gardeners facing winter frosts, transforming houseplant care into a manageable routine. Use very large pots or tubs to accommodate its vigorous root system and ensure the potting mix is high quality and drains exceptionally well. Remember that container plants dry out faster, so monitor watering daily during hot periods, compensating for the plant’s medium water needs.
