Datura quercifolia |
Origin: Southwest North America
Zone Range: 8-10
Preferred Situation: Sunny; well draining soil.
Harvest Date: Saturday 15 September, 2007
Description:
This genus is aptly known as Angel's Trumpet and Devil's Trumpet for its large trumpet shaped flowers that bloom abundance at the stem tips. This species has smaller flowers for its genus, but the pale mauve blooms always attract the eye. Very nice oak leaf like leaves. Plants can grow to 1 meter in height with an equal spread. Will bloom right up to frost. Great for any flower border. Deer proof...worthy to consider growing it with non deer proof plants as a deterent. Fruits are ping pong sized thorny things.
Notes:
All datura possess toxic alkaloids. All should be considered poisonous or capable of inducing powerful hallucinations if ingested, so if you dig up the roots to store over winter DO NOT mix them up with the rutabagas. Cannot ship to Nova Scotia as its banned there. Stored roots can be overwintered like dahlias.
Cultivation:
Two methods can be used: Sow 6mm deep in well draining medium. Germinates in 21-48 days at 15C. Provide lots of light. Datura love light and loathe shade. Second method: sow in a baggie containing moist mix of peat and coarse sand; place baggie on top a conventional computer monitor (big bulky thing). Great germination in 5 days. Check baggie whilst downloading big files or composing a literary masterpiece.
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