Datura
Thorn apple
- Height × spread
- 1m – 1m × 1m – 1.4m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are around 8 species of Datura, both annual and perennial. The name is commonly used for the spectacular Angel's trumpets which are actually in the genus Brugmansia. The Datura come from both North and South America and are generally tender though a few are quite hardy. They include the famous, or notorious Jimson weed, Datura stramonium, an annual that may reach 2 metres in height in its homeland, Datura inoxia, the downy thorn apple, and its several cultivars with spiny fruits, likewise poisonous. A number of forms are of modest height with fragrant trumpet-shaped flowers, such as Datura ceratocaula. In addition Datura metel, the horn of plenty and its cultivars, have flowers in shades of purple white and yellow in both single and double forms. It is doubtful, and perhaps fortuitous, that these plants are readily commercially available.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Black
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Cube, Dome
- Height
- 1m – 1m
- Spread
- 1m – 1.4m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Scented garden, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover
- Hazards
- Yes, some poisonous
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Winter
Winter · Outdoors
Water sparingly during dormancy
In its dormant period give very little water, keeping the soil barely moist. Dormancy is likely to be during the winter and the plant recommences growth in early to mid spring.
When a plant enters dormancy the leaves fade, go yellow and then brown. Eventually the whole plant may 'disappear' or unadorned stems may remain.