These are photos of Angel Trumpets (a.k.a. Brugmansia arborea) growing in my parent’s yard in Archdale, NC. The semi-woody plants are actually native to South America. The large, trumpet-shaped blooms on these are between 6-10″ long. I’ve read where they can reach heights of 16 ft. or more. In this area, if the conditions are right they will be between 5-10 ft high. A former colleague from many years past gave me some stalks one year to plant.

Steps to propagate:

1. In the fall before the first frost, cut the plant back to the ground.
2. Cut the stalks into 12–14″ sections, and place in a bucket of water.
3. Store the cuttings in water over winter in a place they won’t freeze (like a basement).
4. The following spring after the last frost, plant the stalks in a partly shaded place.

If you have the plants established in a place you want to keep them, then in the fall you can cut them off at the ground and cover the stumps with plenty of mulch. They should come back up from the roots next spring as long as the winter wasn’t too rough. Of course you can always repeat the above steps again for more cuttings as well. ~MB

Photographic Notes:
Apple iPhone 4. All images © Matt Bennett Photography.