How To Overwinter Brugmansia To Save It For Next Season

There's nothing quite as stunning as a Brugmansia in full bloom. Those gorgeous hanging trumpet flowers will brighten up your yard and fill the air with their sweet fragrance. In fact, Brugmansia is one of those stunning plants that bloom at night and will infuse its surrounding with a gloriously heady scent. As this is a tropical species, you can ideally grow it in the garden in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 10, and it should survive over the winter. 

However, when overwintering, it's a good idea to give your plant a little protection by using mulch or a covering. The idea is to prevent frost or snow blanketing your Brugmansia, as this will most likely kill it. On the other hand, if you live in an area that gets freezing temperatures, it's much better to grow Brugmansia in a pot, so that you can bring it indoors for the winter. As a last resort, you can take some cuttings before a freeze is expected, as these can root easily, and give you a few new plants for next season.

You'll find in warmer southern regions like North Carolina or Florida, your Brugmansia will die right down during winter but produce new growth in the spring once the ground warms up sufficiently. When handling your plant, remember that the leaves, flowers, and seeds are highly toxic, so take precautions by wearing gloves and keeping children and pets away from it.

If your Brugmansia is planted in the garden, you can provide protection over winter by putting a thick layer of mulch, such as straw or pine needles, around the base of the plant. Do this in the fall before the ground freezes. This will help to regulate the soil temperature and shield the roots. You can lay the mulch up to 18 inches deep, but you'll have to remove it in spring. Another way to safeguard your Brugmansia is to construct a frame around it and then cover this with burlap, Styrofoam, or even bubble wrap, but make sure there's still plenty of air circulation. You'll find that there are plenty of ways you can use bubble wrap to protect your garden from frost.

By far the best option for gardeners in colder regions is to grow your Brugmansia in a pot and then bring it indoors over winter. It will go dormant during this time, so you can even put it in your garage or basement as it won't need a lot of light. You'll probably find that the leaves and stems will dry, but you can cut these back in spring before putting the plant outdoors again. However, refrain from any pruning prior to bringing it inside. Check the soil moisture periodically and don't let it get completely dry, but don't overwater either. And, if you just love growing tropical species, you might want to know how to overwinter your tropical hibiscus plants as well.