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Datura discolor

Datura discolor is a large, beautiful plant with gorgeous flowers. The flower size is smaller than D. meteloides but larger than D. stramonium. It's pure white with an incredible purple throat. The seed pod is very spiney. I'm experimenting with allowing this plant's roots to remain in the ground over Winter to see if it will come back like D. meteloides does.

D. discolor grow to about 5 feet feet tall and about the same across in full sun with good soil. Make sure you give them room! They are profuse bloomers.

Like all species of Datura, these don't like to be disturbed once growing. If you want to start them indoors, either start them in peat pots or make sure you take plenty of soil when removing from flats to disturb the roots as little as possible. Then water well.

Datura discolor

Datura meteloides

Datura meteloides

Datura quercifolia

Datura quercifolia is a medium sized, beautiful plant with attractive, understated, mid-sized flowers. The flower size is smaller than D. discolor but larger than D. stramonium. It's pure white with a distinct purplish edge. The seed pod is very spiney. The root stock does not appear to be winter hardy.

D. quercifolia grow to about 5 feet feet tall and about the same across in full sun with good soil. Make sure you give them room! They are excellent bloomers.

Like all species of Datura, these don't like to be disturbed once growing. If you want to start them indoors, either start them in peat pots or make sure you take plenty of soil when removing from flats to disturb the roots as little as possible. Transplant in the evening and then water well.

Please note that D. quercifolia is just about the most difficult species to germinate! Out of at least 30 seeds I only ever germinated one, yes, ONE. I don't profess to have any deep dark secret for doing it again, but I'd suggest planting some seeds in the ground in the Fall and let them germinate on their own schedule in the spring. The packets have plenty of seeds to experiment with over a few years. The plants and the flowers are worth the extra bother. I think I like this one fully as much as D. discolor and is has the most spectacular seed pods of any species I've grown!

Datura stramonium

Datura stramonium is usually a lavenderish color, but my variety is white. Don't ask why, it's not my fault! The flower size is much smaller than all the other species offered here, and measures about 4 inches from the base to the open trumpet and about 3" across. The seed pod has fewer spines than D. discolor but they are very stout. I'm experimenting with allowing this plant's roots to remain in the ground over Winter to see if it will come back like D. meteloides does.

In full sun and good soil D. stramonium will grow to about 6 feet tall and has a moderate spread of about 3 feet. They're fairly well behaved, however if you allow the seed to drop from the pods onto the ground they will reseed themselves perhaps thicker than you'd prefer. They are excellent bloomers once they get started. They have the characteristic sweet scent but not as strong as some other species.

Datura stramonium

Datura metel v muricata

Datura metel v muricata is the double-flowered yellow variety. The flower size is the same as the double purple (D. metel v fatuosa), a little smaller than D. meteloides. It's yellow inside and out. The seed pod is bumpy but not spiney. I'm experimenting with allowing this plant's roots to remain in the ground over Winter to see if it will come back like D. meteloides does.

In full sun and good soil D. metel v muricata grow to about 6 feet tall but don't spread out the way D. discolor do. They remain quite upright and behave themselves! They are excellent bloomers once they get started. Unlike many others of this genus, the flowers last for more than one night, remaining open for several days. They have the characteristic sweet scent.

I gave mine regular doses of general purpose Miracle Grow in the Spring and switched to Peter's Blooms Plus when the plants reached 3 feet high. I staked them with sturdy bamboo when they reached 4 feet. Without support late summer thunderstorms tend to knock them down. That is true of all the upright Datura species such as stramonium and discolor as well.

Datura metel v muricata

Datura metel v fatuosa

Datura metel v fatuosa is the double-flowered purple variety. The flower size is the same as the double yellow (D. metel v muricata), a little smaller than D. meteloides. It's purple on the outside of the flower and white inside. The seed pod is bumpy but not spiney.

In full sun and good soil D. metel v muricata grow to about 6 feet tall but don't spread out the way D. discolor do. They remain quite upright and behave themselves! They are excellent bloomers once they get started. Unlike many others of this genus, the flowers last for more than one night, remaining open for several days. They have the characteristic sweet scent.

Datura metel v fatuosa