Datura meteloides in bloom.
GARDENING
SOMETIMES, by chance, interesting plants just come my way.
Carol Houghton’s mystery thornapple sparked an interesting response from J. G. Watson, of Newport, who said Thompson & Morgan’s cultivar deserves a spot in a border or as a patio focal point.
Datura, which is also known as angel’s trumpet, wild thornapple or jimsonweed, comes in many variations.
Thompson & Morgan’s trumpet-flowered evening fragrance variety does exactly what it says on the packet, so I am told.
It has huge and heavily fragrant pure white flowers, with a soft lavender picotee edge, 20cm (8ins) long and 10-15cm (4-6ins) wide.
The flowers, like jumbo vertical bindweed blooms, hang with verdant foliage.
They are perfect for growing in tubs, containers, on patios or sheltered corners, close to the house, where the evening perfume can be appreciated.
Despite their exotic appearance, they are relatively tough in windy and rainy conditions, adapting to many soil types.
Height: 90-120cm (36-48ins), spread 90-95cm (36-38ins).
Top Tips
Sowing Instructions:
Now through to early March is the right time to sow.
Soak the seed in warm water for 24 hours beforehand. Place the seed on the surface of lightly firmed, moist compost in pots or trays and cover with a fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Seal the container inside a polythene bag and keep at a temperature of between 15-20C (60-68F). After sowing, do not exclude light as this helps germination. Keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged. Germination usually takes 21-60 days.
Growing Instructions:
When large enough to handle, transplant seedlings into 7.5cm (3ins) pots or trays. Plant out once they are well grown, 1.2m (4ft) apart. For best results, provide a moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Do not feed plants but water well.
Aftercare:
Remove seedpods regularly to encourage further blooms and wear gloves. Plants can be over-wintered in frost-free conditions. Cut back to the base and keep barely moist until spring.
A cautionary word. They are hallucinogenic and toxic.
Facts:
Flowers : Summer
Germination : Experience useful
Aftercare : Easy
Ideal for : Borders, containers, patios.
Special features : Scented
Height : 4ft.