Brunfelsia is a perennial nonnative ornamental shrub that grows well in Florida and the Southeastern Coastal Plain in USDA cold-hardiness zones 9A to 11B. Frost tender, it can be grown in sheltered microclimates in zone 8.
Updated in 2012, the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. Produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) the map is available at www.fs.fed.us/.../hardinesszones.shtml. Homeowners can type in their ZIP code to learn their exact cold-hardiness zone.
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow is one common name for Brunfelsia pausiflora because the flowers change color as they open, mature and fade. Many gardeners around the world simply call it Brunfelsia, using the genus name. The name is pronounced broon-FELZ-ee-uh PAW-si-flor-uh. You can ask a smart phone or computer to say it for you.
Exotic Brunfelsia flowers change color. Yesterday’s flowers fade to white then turn brown and fall off. Today’s flowers are bright, rich blueish-purple and fade to lilac over the day. Tomorrow’s flower buds start green, grow larger and become deep purple before opening into beautiful 5-petaled flowers. One common name is Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.
Cymes of showy, colorful, fragrant flowers grow at leaf nodes and as terminal clusters. They are more fragrant at night to attract moth pollinators. Brunfelsia’s long flowering season, repeat blooming, drought tolerance once established, and low maintenance appeal to gardeners.
As natural understory shrubs, Brunfelsias thrive in part shade with 2 to 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Soil pH must be acidic (6.0), humus-rich, retain moisture and be well drained not wet. The leathery leaves alternate along the stems.
This nonnative perennial small shrub remains evergreen in winter in the parking lot island at Dunnellon Public Library in Marion County. The surrounding dense native shrubs and overhead tree canopy create a microclimate that is warmer than exposed, treeless outlying areas in the 9A cold-hardiness zone away from the rivers in Southwest Marion County.
Simple, leathery leaves, 3 to 6 inches long, are hairless, elongated, lance-shaped with a pointed tip and wedge-shaped base. Leaves alternate along the stems. Their undersides are lighter green than the topsides.
This Brunfelsia was from the JC Raulston Arboretun, a 10-acre arboretum and botanical Garden in Raleigh, North Carolina. Administered by North Carolina State University, it is open daily, and entry is free. At ncsu.edu their advice about growing Brunfelsia outside of its preferred cold hardiness zone is “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.” For further information visit plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/brunfelsia-pauciflora.
Brunfelsia is a perennial nonnative ornamental shrub that grows well in Florida and the Southeastern Coastal Plain in USDA cold-hardiness zones 9A to 11B. Frost tender, it can be grown in sheltered microclimates in zone 8.
Photo courtesy of Jane Weber
Updated in 2012, the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. Produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) the map is available at www.fs.fed.us/.../hardinesszones.shtml. Homeowners can type in their ZIP code to learn their exact cold-hardiness zone.
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow is one common name for Brunfelsia pausiflora because the flowers change color as they open, mature and fade. Many gardeners around the world simply call it Brunfelsia, using the genus name. The name is pronounced broon-FELZ-ee-uh PAW-si-flor-uh. You can ask a smart phone or computer to say it for you.
Photo courtesy of Jane Weber
Exotic Brunfelsia flowers change color. Yesterday’s flowers fade to white then turn brown and fall off. Today’s flowers are bright, rich blueish-purple and fade to lilac over the day. Tomorrow’s flower buds start green, grow larger and become deep purple before opening into beautiful 5-petaled flowers. One common name is Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.
Photo courtesy of Jane Weber
Cymes of showy, colorful, fragrant flowers grow at leaf nodes and as terminal clusters. They are more fragrant at night to attract moth pollinators. Brunfelsia’s long flowering season, repeat blooming, drought tolerance once established, and low maintenance appeal to gardeners.
Photo courtesy of Jane Weber
As natural understory shrubs, Brunfelsias thrive in part shade with 2 to 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Soil pH must be acidic (6.0), humus-rich, retain moisture and be well drained not wet. The leathery leaves alternate along the stems.
Photo courtesy of Jane Weber
This nonnative perennial small shrub remains evergreen in winter in the parking lot island at Dunnellon Public Library in Marion County. The surrounding dense native shrubs and overhead tree canopy create a microclimate that is warmer than exposed, treeless outlying areas in the 9A cold-hardiness zone away from the rivers in Southwest Marion County.
Photo courtesy of Jane Weber
Simple, leathery leaves, 3 to 6 inches long, are hairless, elongated, lance-shaped with a pointed tip and wedge-shaped base. Leaves alternate along the stems. Their undersides are lighter green than the topsides.
Photo courtesy of Jane Weber
This Brunfelsia was from the JC Raulston Arboretun, a 10-acre arboretum and botanical Garden in Raleigh, North Carolina. Administered by North Carolina State University, it is open daily, and entry is free. At ncsu.edu their advice about growing Brunfelsia outside of its preferred cold hardiness zone is “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.” For further information visit plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/brunfelsia-pauciflora.
Gardeners and homeowners like to surround their homes with flowering plants. Exotic, nonnative species can be lovely ornamentals in the garden so long as they do not grow too rampantly or invade the natural environments around us.
CC Homefront Jane Weber column sig mug
Jane Weber
Jane’s Garden
Brunfelsia is one such shrub that grows well in Florida and the Southeastern Coastal Plain in USDA cold-hardiness zones 9A to 11B. Frost tender, it can be grown in sheltered microclimates in zone 8.
We know about the Brunfelsia i.e. yesterday, today and tomorrow. How about changing the articles to different plants and stories. This has been shown in your paper for months.
Did you know that Brunfelsia, commonly known as yesterday-today-and-tomorrow, is a highly poisonous plant? Some species in this genus contain several toxins that are known to result in neurological and cardiovascular effects.
All parts of the plant should be considered highly poisonous, especially the berries. Dogs seem to be particularly attracted to the berries and flowers; however, poisoning has also been reported in cats, birds and cattle that have ingested this plant. Brunfelsia is starting to flower now, and fruiting will occur from late summer into early winter.
Early signs of poisoning in dogs and cats include drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea (may contain berries and other plant material) and coughing or sneezing episodes. These symptoms can then be followed by agitation, difficulty walking, tremors, and seizures. Changes to the blood pressure and heart rate may also occur. These signs are generally seen within a couple of hours of ingestion, however in some cases may be much more delayed.
It is best to keep dogs well away from these plants. When pruning them, be mindful that pets do not get access to the cuttings. Any ingestion of this plant should be considered life-threatening and expert advice sought.
☎ If your pet has chewed on or ingested any part of a Brunfelsia plant, please contact the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738 (AU)
or 0800 869 738 (NZ) for immediate advice, even if your pet looks well.
Thank you to our platinum sponsor Hill’s Pet Nutrition for sponsoring this important post. Their support helps to keep this service FREE for all pet owners in Australia and New Zealand.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition: Premium pet food backed by science. From their days as puppies and kittens to their years as senior dogs and cats, the Hill’s range of biology-based nutrition stays a step ahead for differences you can see, feel and trust.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
(2) comments
We know about the Brunfelsia i.e. yesterday, today and tomorrow. How about changing the articles to different plants and stories. This has been shown in your paper for months.
Do you know:
Brunfelsia Is Highly Toxic
Did you know that Brunfelsia, commonly known as yesterday-today-and-tomorrow, is a highly poisonous plant? Some species in this genus contain several toxins that are known to result in neurological and cardiovascular effects.
All parts of the plant should be considered highly poisonous, especially the berries. Dogs seem to be particularly attracted to the berries and flowers; however, poisoning has also been reported in cats, birds and cattle that have ingested this plant. Brunfelsia is starting to flower now, and fruiting will occur from late summer into early winter.
Early signs of poisoning in dogs and cats include drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea (may contain berries and other plant material) and coughing or sneezing episodes. These symptoms can then be followed by agitation, difficulty walking, tremors, and seizures. Changes to the blood pressure and heart rate may also occur. These signs are generally seen within a couple of hours of ingestion, however in some cases may be much more delayed.
It is best to keep dogs well away from these plants. When pruning them, be mindful that pets do not get access to the cuttings. Any ingestion of this plant should be considered life-threatening and expert advice sought.
☎ If your pet has chewed on or ingested any part of a Brunfelsia plant, please contact the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738 (AU)
or 0800 869 738 (NZ) for immediate advice, even if your pet looks well.
Thank you to our platinum sponsor Hill’s Pet Nutrition for sponsoring this important post. Their support helps to keep this service FREE for all pet owners in Australia and New Zealand.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition: Premium pet food backed by science. From their days as puppies and kittens to their years as senior dogs and cats, the Hill’s range of biology-based nutrition stays a step ahead for differences you can see, feel and trust.
Visit www.hillspet.com.au to learn more.
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.