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From the
Summer 2006 MALP Newsletter
By:
By T&T Nutt
Not many people associate fragrant flowers with Deadly
Nightshade, commonly referred as The Potato family. The
Latin name is Solanacae. Generally, we acknowledge the
plants in this family for food and medicine or just the fact
that many are highly toxic. Isn’t it fascinating how one particular
family of plants can impact our daily lives?
To think, Tomatoes and Potatoes growing in your garden
are related to the Black Night Shade you just weeded out,
or that Tobacco in a cigarette butt you cleaned from that
same garden is a cousin to the Petunias, coloring your
flower beds. And don’t forget, Eggplant that goes in Eggplant
Parmesan is a relative to the Chile Pepper spicing up
your Salsa.
Two of the Nightshade family members recognized for fragrance
would be the Angle Trumpet Tree and Night Jessamine.
Some people can be overwhelmed by these blooms
because they can dominate the evening air with a such a
strong, sweet aroma. Certain people even claim they experience
a feeling of light headedness when inhaling their sent.
Another caution to remember is that some plant parts from
Night Jessamine and all parts of the Angle Trumpet Tree
are toxic. Make sure to wash your hands after handling,
and especially be careful around eyes or open wounds.
This is where the similarities end. By contrast the Angle
Trumpet Tree and Night Jessamine they are two very different
plants.
The Angles Trumpet Tree
Brugmansia x candida, (also
know as Tree Datura) is a
hybrid from South America
arriving in the Hawaiian
Islands 180 years ago.
Trees prefer full sun, plenty
of water and a well drained
loamy soil with periodic fertilizing
and mulching. They
are not drought tolerant and
will drop leaf under stress.
Angle Trumpet Trees do not
handle windy and salty conditions.
A small tree ranging from a height of around 15
feet with leaves growing 12” to 15” inches in length. This
is one of the few trees I prune heavily because extensive
pruning encourages flower and maintains the trees shape.
Flowers are trumpet shaped 10” to 12”
in length, hanging like Chinese
lanterns in colors from white to
cream, or pink to pale orange.
Blooming in the Hawaiian Islands
can be year round, although, heaviest
during full moon.
I have not seen the Angle
Trumpet Tree fruit, however, the
plant starts easily from cuttings,
and can also be started from
root shoots. Insect pests include the
Chinese Rose Beetle which attacks
at night and chews unsightly holes in the leaves. This does
not seem to effect the health of the plant other then external
appearance. People also complain of infestation of red
spider mite.
Night Jessamine, Cestrum nocturnum, is one of the most
famous and desirable fragrant plants. Erroneously called
‘Night Blooming Jasmine’ its flowers are pale yellow to
white, opening and remaining extremely fragrant until sunrise.
Aroma is sweet, pleasant and intoxicating. These flowers
are widely used in India and other countries of South
Asia for perfumery, medicinal applications and in religious
ceremonies. Jessamine is a fast growing bushy shrub. The
flowering period is in late spring to early summer. Extreme
pruning is recommended after each flowering cycle to
encourage new growth and remove old dead wood. Plants
will become sparse with age, if not pruned excessively.
Propagation from seed or cutting start very easy, can be
grown as a hedge or single specimen plant. Insect problems
can range from red spider mite to white fly or scale
infestations, but for
the most part I personally
have had no
insect problems with
this plant.
So here’s an example
of expanding the
potato family from
garden into the landscape,
appeasing the
eye while exciting the
nose. Angle Trumpet
Tree and Night Jessamine
truly make
scents to grow.
See more T&T Nutt articles:
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