Angel's Trumpet Brugmansia × cubensis 'Golden Lady' (d)
ABOUT
The 'Golden Lady' is a striking plant recognized for its showy and captivating trumpet-shaped flowers that exude a captivating fragrance, particularly noticeable in the evening. These flowers are a rich golden color, typically featuring a soft, creamy-yellow to deep yellow hue that can add a touch of tropical allure to any environment. The blooms gracefully dangle from sturdy branches, hanging down in an enchanting display that is both elegant and eye-catching. This plant possesses large, lush leaves that are generally green, providing a dense canopy of foliage that contrasts beautifully with the golden flowers. The leaves themselves can vary in texture and may have a slightly wavy or smooth edge, contributing to the overall lush appearance of the plant. The overall impression is one of an opulent and tropical specimen that could easily become the centerpiece of a garden display, with its richly colored flowers and pleasingly fragrant presence.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Solanaceae
Synonyms
Angel's Trumpet, Golden Lady Brugmansia
Common names
Brugmansia × cubensis 'Golden Lady' (d).
ToxicityTo humans
Angel's trumpet, including 'Golden Lady', is highly toxic to humans if ingested. All parts of the plant contain tropane alkaloids, such as scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and atropine. Symptoms of poisoning can include dilated pupils, dry mouth, confusion, hallucinations, rapid heartbeat, severe agitation, and, in extreme cases, seizures, coma, and death.
To pets
Angel's trumpet is also toxic to pets. The tropane alkaloids present in all parts of the plant can cause symptoms similar to those in humans, including vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, disorientation, muscle weakness, seizures, and an elevated heart rate. Severe poisoning can be lethal, and any pet suspected of ingesting angel's trumpet should be taken to a veterinarian immediately.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Semi-deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters)
Spread
6-10 feet (1.8-3 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
Cuba
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: 'Golden Lady' adds aesthetic value to gardens with its large, trumpet-shaped, golden-yellow flowers and lush green foliage.
- Landscape Design: The plant can serve as a focal point or be used in background plantings, providing a tropical look to the landscape.
- Sensory Experience: The flowers emit a pleasant, sweet fragrance, especially in the evenings, enhancing the sensory appeal of a garden space.
- Wildlife Attractant: Brugmansia can attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, promoting biodiversity in the garden.
- Shade Provision: The large leaves and bushy growth can create shaded areas, making it suitable for use in creating cool, sheltered spots in the garden.
Medical Properties- Anticholinergic effects: The plant contains tropane alkaloids such as scopolamine and atropine which can affect the central nervous system.
- Anesthesia adjunct: Scopolamine derived from Brugmansia has been used in medicine to induce sedation and amnesia, as part of anesthetic protocols.
- Analgesic properties: Some traditional uses suggest the plant may possess mild pain-relieving properties.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Ornamental display: Brugmansia or Angel's Trumpet is commonly used in landscaping for its large, showy flowers and can add a tropical look to gardens.
- Nocturnal garden addition: The flowers of Angel's Trumpet are known for their intense fragrance at night, making them a perfect choice for moon gardens where evening scent is appreciated.
- Sound barrier: Due to their dense foliage, these plants can be used as a living sound barrier to help reduce traffic noise in urban gardens.
- Photography: The unique and striking appearance of Angel's Trumpet blooms makes them a popular subject for photographers and plant enthusiasts alike.
- Privacy screen: When planted in a row, Brugmansia can serve as an effective and attractive privacy screen for patios or yards.
- Potted plants: Angel's Trumpet can be grown in large containers, making them suitable for balconies and terraces where ground planting isn't possible.
- Educational tool: Botany students and plant enthusiasts can study Angel's Trumpet as an example of plant genetics and hybridization due to their complex breeding history.
- Cultural significance: Angel's Trumpet plants are often associated with spiritual and religious symbolism in various cultures, and can be used in themed gardens.
- Shade provider: With their large leaves, Brugmansia plants can provide a welcome shade in small sunny gardens or over seating areas.
- Windbreaks: Sturdily planted Brugmansia shrubs can act as windbreaks in coastal areas, protecting smaller plants from harsh seaside winds.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Angel's Trumpet is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Angel's Trumpet is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Beauty and Splendor - The 'Golden Lady' variety of Angel's Trumpet, with its large, trumpet-shaped flowers and opulent golden color, symbolizes the grandeur and magnificence of nature.
- Enchantment and Fascination - The surreal appearance of Angel's Trumpet flowers can symbolize a sense of wonder and the ability to captivate or enchant observers.
- Mysticism and Spiritual Visions - Traditionally, some cultures have associated Angel's Trumpet with spiritual experiences due to its hallucinogenic properties, making it a symbol of mysticism.
- Warning and Risk - Despite its beauty, Angel's Trumpet is highly toxic. It symbolizes the duality of nature, combining allure with danger, serving as a warning to be cautious.
- Temporary Beauty - Angel's Trumpet flowers bloom and wilt within a short period, symbolizing the transient nature of life and the fleeting nature of beauty.
WaterThe Angel's Trumpet should be watered regularly, ensuring the soil is kept consistently moist but not soggy. During the growing season, water enough to saturate the soil deeply, which could mean about 1 to 2 gallons per week, depending on weather conditions. Reduce watering in the winter when the plant is not actively growing. Always check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering again to avoid overwatering.
LightAngel's Trumpet thrives in full sun to partial shade. The best spot for this plant would be where it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day, with some dappled afternoon shade in extremely hot climates to prevent leaf scorch.
TemperatureAngel's Trumpet prefers a temperature range between 60°F and 85°F for optimal growth. The plant can endure minimum temperatures down to about 50°F but should be protected from frost. Prolonged exposure to temperatures below 50°F or above 90°F can be harmful to the plant.
PruningPrune Angel's Trumpet to shape it and encourage bushier growth, removing any dead or damaged branches. It is best to prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Pruning can be done annually or biannually, depending on the desired size and shape of the plant.
CleaningAs needed
SoilAngel's Trumpet thrives in well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter with a pH between 5.5 and 7. A mix of loam, peat, perlite, and compost is ideal to ensure adequate drainage and nutrient retention.
RepottingAngel's Trumpet should be repotted every 2 to 3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth. Choose a pot just one size larger than the current one to avoid overwatering issues.
Humidity & MistingAngel's Trumpet prefers high humidity levels, around 50-60%. To maintain these conditions, especially indoors, use a humidifier or place the pot on a tray of wet pebbles.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright, indirect light and ample space.
Outdoor
Place in partial shade, protect from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA
Life cycleThe 'Golden Lady' Angel Trumpet begins its life as a seed, which when sown, germinates and gives rise to a seedling under appropriate warmth and moisture conditions. As the seedling grows, it develops into a vegetative stage characterized by the formation of a strong stem and broad, green leaves. During the growing season, and particularly in warm climates, the plant enters the flowering stage, producing large, trumpet-shaped, golden-yellow flowers that hang downward and emit a strong, fragrant scent. As the flowers get pollinated, either through self-pollination or by the action of insects, they develop into seed capsules that eventually dry and release seeds, thus completing the reproductive cycle. In colder regions or during winter months, the plant may enter a dormancy stage, where growth slows down or ceases until favorable conditions return. Throughout its life, 'Golden Lady' may also be propagated vegetatively through cuttings, allowing new plants to skip the seed stage and directly grow from the parent plant tissue.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The most popular method of propagation for Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia × cubensis 'Golden Lady') is through semi-ripe cuttings. To do this, in late spring or early summer, a cutting of about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) long is taken from a healthy area of the plant, ideally with at least two to three sets of leaves. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end may be dipped in a rooting hormone before being placed in a well-draining potting mix. The cutting should be kept in a warm, humid environment with indirect sunlight. Roots typically develop within a few weeks, after which the new plant can gradually be acclimatized to less humid conditions and eventually moved outdoors if desired.
