Pricklyburr, scientifically known as Datura inoxia and commonly called angel's trumpet, is a shrubby, sprawling tender perennial native to Mexico and Central America. In most climates it's grown as an annual, reaching 2, 3 feet tall with a sprawl of 3, 6 feet wide. It produces spectacular upward-facing trumpet flowers up to 7 inches long in cream, pink, or lavender, each lasting a single night and releasing a sweetly overpowering fragrance. Hardy to zones 9, 10, it thrives in full sun with moderate water and low maintenance, making it a dramatic addition to warm-climate gardens.
Full Sun
Moderate
9-10
36in H x 72in W
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Moderate
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The flowers are the true star here: single or double trumpets with a fragrance so intense it can fill an entire garden at dusk. Each bloom opens for just one night before fading, creating a sense of anticipation with every new flower. The dark green, wavy-margined foliage provides a lush backdrop for the showy blooms and fruit that follow, while the plant's sprawling habit and drought tolerance mean it can cover ground without demanding constant attention.
Pricklyburr serves primarily as an ornamental plant, prized for its showy nocturnal flowers and intense nighttime fragrance that makes it a focal point in evening gardens. The ripe seed is harvested for replanting, allowing gardeners in cooler zones to perpetuate the plant year after year. While technically edible, it is grown almost exclusively for its spectacular flowers and landscape impact rather than culinary purposes.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6, 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Plant seeds in seed-starting mix at the appropriate depth and maintain consistent moisture and warmth. Transplant seedlings into individual pots once they develop true leaves.
Set plants outside after the last frost date when soil has warmed and nighttime temperatures remain above 50°F. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7, 10 days before planting. Space plants 3 feet apart in full sun.
Harvest ripe seed in late summer and fall as seed pods dry on the plant. Allow pods to fully mature and harden before collecting seeds for storage and replanting the following season.
No pruning is necessary for this variety. Deadheading flowers is not required, and the sprawling growth habit is part of its natural appeal. Allow the plant to develop its full, shrubby form unless staking or supporting is desired to control spread.
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“Datura inoxia originates from Mexico and Central America, where it grows as a perennial in warm climates. Its introduction to cultivation in cooler regions led gardeners in places like St. Louis to adapt it as an annual, starting seeds indoors in early spring and treating the plant as a tender seasonal specimen. The plant has been preserved and passed through seed because of its extraordinary nighttime fragrance and dramatic flowers, making it a beloved choice for gardeners seeking something visually and aromatically distinctive.”