Drago Cactoid - Datura

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Datura meteloides Datura are native to the Southwestern United States and Mexico. In the Northeast I grow them as annuals, although D. meteloides will easily re-seed itself. I've also had the plants return from root stock for several years now, even after an unusually cold CT winter. Datura tend to be large plants, and depending on the species one tiny seedling may cover an area over 4 feet by 4 feet. They like as much sun as you can give them, but will also grow with only a couple of hours of sun per day if you don't mind smaller plants. Datura meteloides is a low-grower, covering a largish area but rarely exceeding 3 feet in height. Once the seedling is established the plant will grow fast and start to bloom in mid-summer, and continue until frost kills the plant. The flowers are large, white with a slight purplish cast along the edge and a strong, sweet scent. The flowers open in the evening and last until morning, with each flower lasting only one day. The short-lived blooms are rapidly replaced by the abundant buds-in-waiting. Please see the Datura culture sheet - listed on the left - for more details.
(Click pictures for larger images)

Datura meteloides seed for sale This seed is from my own plants, grown in central CT, zone 5a.
$3 per packet, approx. 36 seeds. (Ordering details) See special note on postage.

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.
(Click pictures for larger images)

Datura discolor seed for sale This seed is from my own plants, grown in central CT, zone 5a.
$4 per packet. (Ordering details) See special note on postage.

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.
(Click pictures for larger images)
Datura metel v muricata seed for sale This seed is from my own plants, grown in central CT, zone 5a.
$4 per packet. Sorry, Datura metel v muricata seeds are not currently available. (Ordering details) See special note on postage.

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.
(Click pictures for larger images)
Datura metel v fatuosa seed for sale This seed is from my own plants, grown in central CT, zone 5a.
$4 per packet. Sorry, Datura metel v fatuosa seeds are not currently available. (Ordering details) See special note on postage.

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.
(Click pictures for larger images)
Datura stramonium seed for sale This seed is from my own plants, grown in central CT, zone 5a.
$3 per packet. (Ordering details) See special note on postage.