Angel's Trumpet

My photo of the day - Brugmansia

Today the trumpets were all blazing on the brugmansia. I thought I would find out a little more about this plant that was overwintered dryly at about 55 degrees and amazingly sprang back with vigorous growth this spring, showing appreciation for all the water and Miracle Gro and tropical weather it has been provided with this summer.

Gardeners familiarly call these plants brugs. I love that! They were named after a Dutch (love that, too) natural history professor named Sebald Justin Brugmans who died in 1819. They are shrubs, native to South America, which can attain a 20-foot height in the right environment. They do best in the ground and protected from hot afternoon sun. (This one is container grown and will never get that tall in Michigan). They come in different colors and varieties with names like Isabella, Tropical Sunset, Dreamsicle and Strawberries and Cream. They sound delicious.

However, the most interesting information is yet to be told. At first, with hasty research, I warned Aunt V that all parts of the plant were toxic (many garden plant parts are--it shares a family name with the tomato and other night shade plants). The truth is, all parts of the plant contain psychoactive properties that if not used judiciously (?) can result in delirium and hallucinations that last for days. It has been used for centuries by shamans, and is known for many delightful special effects, but also has proven to be deadly when used by stupid teenagers and others who have experimented with it and did not know what they were doing. I'm just sayin'. . . you've been warned!

I also read that hummingbirds are attracted to the exotic colorful blooms,  but now I have another curious question--do hummingbirds ever get tripped-out on the brugs?