Brunfelsia Brunfelsia pauciflora

The yesterday, today and tomorrow plant is a bushy, free-flowering, perennial shrub in the nightshade family (Solanaceae) and gets its name from the ever-changing colors of its fragrant blooms. The blooms gradually turn from deep purple to lavender, then to white as they mature. The semi-evergreen shrub is native to the subtropics of Brazil and is found in woodlands and thickets. The genus name, Brunfelsia, is in honor of a German monk, Otto Brunfels, who was known as the 'Father of Botany.' The specific epithet, pauciflora, means few-flowered. 

This shrub prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, humus-rich, acidic soil. It also prefers a humid environment. The plant is winter hardy in zones 9 to 11. In North Carolina, this plant would 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. Prune to encourage more blooms as they occur on new growth. Heaviest blooming is in spring and early summer. Repeat blooming can occur anytime during the year under favorable conditions. Heavier pruning, if needed, is recommended in the fall. The plant is best propagated by softwood cuttings.

The yesterday, today, and tomorrow plant grows up to 3 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide and has an open airy habit. The leaves are dark green and glossy, but the undersides are pale green. The flowers appear in clusters of tubular purple blooms that open to form a flat disk and appear pansy-like. The disks consists of 5 wavy petals that overlap and have white throats. Its fruits are berries that turn brown when mature and have many seeds.

This shrub can be grown as a screen or hedge and in flower beds or borders. It also can be grown as a container plant or in a glasshouse or conservatory. Beware that parts of this shrub, if ingested, is toxic to humans and pets. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This shrub is generally diseases free. Monitor for spider mites, whiteflies, thrips, and mealybugs when grown in a glasshouse or conservatory. Aphids may also weaken the plant.

If ingested, all parts of this shrub are toxic, especially the berries, to dogs, cats, horses, and humans. Keep this plant out of the reach of pets and children. Gloves are recommended when handling this plant since it can cause skin and oral irritation.