2014 SPRING HOME AND GARDEN “OUT OF THE ORDINARY” LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.COM May 1, 2014 9
Datura can be planted in the
spring and will produce flowers
throughout the summer and into
late fall. They enjoy
full sun to partial
shade, like moist
feet early in the
growing season, but
are also drought-
tolerant in late
summer.
These are a seed-
producing plant. Seeds can be
harvested in the fall and stored
for planting the next spring.
Gardeners should use caution
with these seeds because, just as
the castor bean, they are toxic if
consumed.
In the fall, there is no need to dig
up the Datura. Depending on the
winter season, the plant stands
a good possibility of returning
in the spring on its own, but if
it doesn’t, it can be replaced
by planting the seeds saved at
harvest.
The Brugmansia variety can be
grown in the garden or in pots.
When using a pot, be sure to
choose one that is large enough
to support root growth so you
will get a large plant with plenty
of flowers. It is suggested that
the pot be a 5- to 7-gallon size,
or approximately 14 inches wide
and 12 inches deep. The bigger
the pot, the bigger the plant will
grow, so if you want something
bigger, go for it.
These plants love water and
require large amounts, especially
if grown in pots. At the same
time, they don’t particularly like
wet feet, so be sure you have a
pot that drains well, or that you
plant them in a well-draining
location in the garden.
As a caution, insects love
Brugmansia and may attract
some unwanted pests in the
garden. The worst of these
could be the spider mite. Spider
mites are nearly invisible to the
naked eye but can be seen with
a high-powered
magnifying glass.
In most cases you
will know they
are present when
you see their
plastic-like “webs”
covering flowers
and foliage. By the
time this happens,
it is pretty much too late to do
anything that will save the plant.
The mites in their web literally
suck the life from the plants,
usually turning them an ugly
brown in the process.
If you see the mites early, you
can try commercial miticides
available at most garden stores.
Once you have the mite webs,
the best thing to do to protect
the balance of your garden is to
remove the plant.
As you garden this summer,
don’t be afraid to bring in
a lovable giant or two. The
addition of any of these four
large growing plants will put the
sizzle on the steak, so to speak,
and take your garden from pretty
to pretty terrific.
Spider mites
