Pretty flowers from weeds?

Recently, I came across this weed growing from a side pavement and under a mature tree.

It was the only weed clump within that area full of wild grass, rocks and gravel. I was initially struck by its deep green foliage and its spreading (growing) habit.

Then, I noticed a small red flower peeping out between the leaves. Upon crouching down for a closer inspection, its actually a single flower stalk with lots of flowers buds and tiny pinkish red flowers opening up beginning from the bottom!

Such pretty flowers from a weed, I certainly didn't expect that! Henceforth, I'll make sure to give weeds a closer inspection :)

Angelic Trumpets- Delicate & Beautiful

There are 2 plants in the garden that I tend to coddle and give special attention to... a lotus plant and a brugmansia, commonly known as Angel's Trumpet.

Copyright of Tom Murphy VII, image taken from Wikimedia Commons

Angel's Trumpet are from the genus Brugmansia, family Solanaceae and native to tropical South America. Their name refers to the large, pendulous (hanging-down/drooping) flowers which are fragrant, especially in the evening. Though closely related to the genus Datura and often mistaken for one another, Brugmansia are mid-sized semi-woody trees/shrubs while Datura are herbaceous shrubs with erect flowers (ie. growing upwards).

Flowers can measure up to 20 inches long and come in varying colours and shades usually white, yellow, pink, peach, orange and are either petaled singly, doubled or more. It needs moist, fertile and well-drained soil and grown either in the sun or part shade. It can be planted in the ground or in pots and grow from seeds or cuttings.

However, do take note that the whole plant is poisonous and highly toxic, especially its seeds and leaves. Great care is required to dispose of spent leaves and tree parts to make it safer for children and pets.

In Malaysia, they are usually found in the highlands, where the weather is cooler and wetter, growing on mounds of elevated soil, beside drains or streams...perhaps the latter is due to the ground being more fertile. 

I have only seen a mature tree growing well in our lowlands once, in a housing estate in Klang, Selangor under a tall tree whose canopy of leaves protected the 'trumpet' from strong winds and harsh sunlight. Unfortunately, that beautiful tree has since been chopped down :(

Copyright of Jan Smith, image taken from Wikimedia Commons

The first time I laid eyes on a 'trumpet' in all its blooming glory was in Cameron Highlands on the grounds of a colonial era church/kindergarten building on a hilltop. All those gorgeous pendulous yellowish white regal blooms gently nodding and swaying in the breeze while scenting the air with their fragrance is a sight I will remember a long long time :)

Straggly growth, cramped roots & barely hanging on leaves!

My Trumpet was err, 'harvested' by cutting a mature branch from a mid-sized tree growing on the roadside in Fraser's Hill about 4 years ago. So far, it has produced ONE white flower for my enjoyment (sob!sob!) A single flower in 4 years...DEFINITELY not too successful :(

where are the flower buds?

After each round of fertilising and top-off with fresh compost, lots of new flower buds emerge but these tend to dry-up and drop. Ditto for new leaves which will turn yellow and drop. It is a tropical plant and requires lots of sunshine, but when placed directly under our hot Malaysian sun, the whole tree wilts dramatically! But when in shade, only the leaves get big and thrive with nary a sight of blooms! It is a tricky plant to grow in our lowlands where the air is much drier and hotter.

spacious new home :)

I am desperate to see Trumpet blooming again. So recently, it was moved into a bigger "house" with fresh compost and fertiliser and placed in another corner of the porch. It seems to be happier and is putting forth new shoots from the soil level and fresh leaves...but no sign of flowers buds yet. Trumpet needs to be feed up to 2-3 times a week and as an extra, I've been putting in an inch of fresh compost every fortnight too :D

 

New growth :)

Trumpet's new look

So, please bloom 'Trumpet'! No need to be shy now...be an angel and bloom prettily okay ?!