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Brazil Raintree Brunfelsia pauciflora

Phonetic Spelling
broon-FELZ-ee-uh PAW-si-flor-uh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

The Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Plant is a perennial shrub in the nightshade family and gets its name from the ever-changing color of its blooms that go from deep purple to lavender, to white as they mature. Prune to encourage more blooms as they occur on new growth. Heaviest blooming is in spring and fall but it may repeat bloom anytime during the year under favorable conditions.

They prefer moist fertile acidic soils in partial shade. In NC they will need to be brought indoors for the winter. Provide the indoor plant with 3 hours of sun daily and keep the soil moist but not soggy. Cut back on watering when the plant is dormant. 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Compact'
    Dwarf variety
'Compact'
Tags:
#houseplant#white flowers#shrub#purple flowers#deer resistant#lavender flowers#long bloom time#evergreen shrub#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#container plant#patio
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Compact'
    Dwarf variety
'Compact'
Tags:
#houseplant#white flowers#shrub#purple flowers#deer resistant#lavender flowers#long bloom time#evergreen shrub#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#container plant#patio
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Brunfelsia
    Species:
    pauciflora
    Family:
    Solonaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Brazil
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Mounding
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Smooth light green round capsule with several seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Winter
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    2-inch flowers are borne in terminal clusters of up to 10. They start off purple then mature to lavender then white. Heaviest bloom in spring and fall but they may repeat bloom anytime throughout the year.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    3-6 inch long and 3/4-2 inches wide leathery green leaves are elongated lanceolate with a pointed tip and a wedge-shaped base. Undersides lighter green.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Bark Description:
    The bark is greyish brown and mostly smooth
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Smooth dark green branches
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Tremors, seizures (for several days), diarrhea, vomiting, hypersalivation, lethargy, incoordination, coughing
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Brunfelsamidine
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Leaves