Say what you do about extinction-causing humans. But we are also responsible for the survival of the species from time to time.
This is the case of Brugmansia (Broog-Man-Zee-Ah), a genus of seven plants listed as wild extinction by the IUCN Red List.
The genus named Sebardo Justinus Brugmans, a Dutch naturalist, and a member of the genus and its submarine family, Datura is often referred to as the flower-shaped angel trumpet.
Their flowers usually come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, yellow, orange, peach, and gold.
The leaves are generally large and alternately covered with thin hairs and teething edges.
They were initially discovered in the Andes and southeastern Brazil in South America, including Colombia, Bolivia, northern Chile, northern Peru, and northwest Venezuela. However, it is currently almost exclusively present in gardens around the world.
The exact reason for their decline is unknown. Still, it is believed that this is due to the extinction of unknown primary pollen agents, and as a result, the plants could not replicate and die.
These plants are now extinct in the wild, but still live as collector plants.
Although breeding of the main species, especially the species with rare flower colours, can be a little difficult, there are countless varieties that make cultivation of these plants a little easier.
Brugmansia species and hybrids can be divided into two groups: warm and cold groups.
One group of species can easily hybridize with other groups in the same group.
This has resulted in some of the most popular varieties from hybrids instead of base species.
Brugmansia plants are easily grown in moist, fertile, well-drained soil, sun-damaged, partially shady and thriving, with frost-free climates.
However, they are very prone to pests such as aphids, whitefly, spider mites, meely bugs, fungal batsmen, slugs, snails, cucumber beetles, and cabbage worms.
Related: More on Brugmansia Angel Trumpet Care
Brugmansia uses
These large shrubs or small trees can be grown as potted plants outdoors in the USDA hardiness zone of 9-12, and peak at a relatively short height of 5′ feet or impressive 24′ feet depending on the species and variety.
Their trumpet-shaped flowers are so impressive, often reaching over 10 inches.
In the garden, these plants stand out as if they were to trim the centerpiece.
Indoors, it stands out when placed near sunny windows and calls out conversations from visitors.
In general, the flowers of Burgmancia are more pronounced in warm summer evenings and tend to attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.
Please note that the Brugmansia plant is very toxic. Eating small amounts can cause severe hallucinations known to lead to self-harm and other violent reactions.
Other benefits of intake include smooth muscle paralysis, tachycardia, constipation, tremors, and migraines.
Related: How to propagate Angel Trumpet (Brugmansia) plants
Brugmansia types and varieties
Brugmansia arborea
Originally born in the Andes, this cold group species is the hardest and frost-resistant of all Burgmancias.
Not only is it the tallest at 23 feet, it also has the smallest flower.
Trumpet-shaped flowers range from approximately 4.75 inches to 6.75 inches in length. The flowers can be white, ivory or cream.
Flowers that are mainly pollinated by moth smell the best in the evening.
The leaves and stems of this plant look like an attractive white velvet.
Note that Brugmansias and Daturas with white flowers are often mistakenly labelled Brugmansia arborea by sellers.
Brugmansia Aurea (Golden Angel Trumpet)
This large evergreen shrub can grow into an impressive 20 feet outdoors.
The flowers appear in summer and autumn, and have a strong, pleasant scent in the evening.
Because they are very diverse, white to yellow flowers in general can be orange or pink, especially in varieties, but they have leaf shapes and hair ranges.
This warm group plant was originally from Ecuador, not cold below 41 degrees Fahrenheit.
Its leaves are the longest of all Burgmansias, and the plant quickly pairs with many other warm and cultivated varieties, including its own hybrid xcandida.
Brugmansia x Candida
This hybrid of Brugmancia Aurea and Brugmancia Barjora was originally developed as garden ornaments, but later spread out from neglected or abandoned gardens and became an invasive plant in many areas.
Generally, growing between 5′ to 10′ feet tall (but known to reach 15′ feet), the flowers of this plant are huge 12 inches long, and are a pale pink, white and yellow blend.
A relatively fast grower, the hybrid reaches 3′ feet tall in its first year, producing sparse flowers, leading to many growers’ annual cultivation.
If maintained as a perennial, the second year produces much more flowers, and is colder than many other Burgmansias, growing far north from Zone 8.
There are several cultivars of this hybrid. The most notable is the Grand Mariner.
Brugmansia x Cubensis ‘Charles Grimaldi’
This warm group of Burgmancia variety is one of the most spectacular, with cascades of 15-inch golden yellow flowers over shrubs ranging from 8′ to 12′ feet tall and 6′ to 12′ feet tall.
It can break into a normal garden suspect, but it is very resistant to illness.
Welcome as one of the most fragrant of all Brugmansias, this plant is certainly one of the most stunning of all species and cultivars within the genus.
Brugmansia sanguinea (Red Angel’s Trumpet)
Brugmansia sanguinea is a robust member of the cold group that can handle short, light frosts, and can be easily distinguished from other species.
The flowers are tubular and open only at the tip.
The colour ranges from 6 to 10 inches in length, ranging from golden yellow, pale yellow, orange, pink or red, depending on the cultivar.
However, with a little extra care and a lot of luck, the plant is also known to produce multi-colored blooms with a green base, yellow cream to yellow and white throat from orange.
At 8′ to 12′ feet tall and 6′ to 8′ feet wide, it is certainly one of the most spectacular, not the biggest Burgmancia.
Brugmansia Suaveolens (Angel’s Tears, Snow Angel’s Trumpet)
This species was originally only found in eastern Brazil and was far from other Burgmancia species.
Grows in the shape of a short umbrella, between 3′ to 8′ feet tall and 2′ to 4′ feet tall.
The flowers are 12 inches long and bright white, and this warm group plant is an excellent accent plant.
It is the recipient of the Garden Merit Award of the Prestigious Royal Horticultural Society.
Brugmansia Versicolor (Trumpet of Tree Angel)
Originally only found in a small portion of southwest Ecuador, this warm group species has an interesting trick on its sleeve.
Flowers that are 15 inch long are usually apricots, pink or white, but the white flowers can change color overnight. This means you can sleep on white flowers and wake up to apricots and yellow ones.
Growing between 10′ to 15′ feet tall, it is not the largest species of Burgmancia and cannot handle temperatures below 45° F.
Although they are resistant to disease, plant flower crowns tend to burn when the weather is hot and dry.
Brugmansia Vulcanicola
This cold group of Burgmancias is the rarest of the seven species endemic to isolated spots at the height of the Colombian Andes.
It gets its name (meaning “volcanic inhabitants”) due to its color and soil preferences and is better in cooler climates than other Burgmancias, whilst dislikes warm climates.
This small tree can grow to 14′ feet tall, but also has the smallest leaves of Burgmancia, only 3.5-4 inches long.
Flowers usually have a green base, a red center, and a yellow throat, but in rare cases they may turn pink.
