Jimsonweed

Botanical Name

Datura spp.

Min Zone

Max Zone

Height

2 to 5 feet

Width

3 to 6 feet

Flowers

Summer to frost: pink, lavender, purple, white; upward-facing trumpets, fragrant

Fruit

Spiny, egg-shaped capsule that splits open in 4 sements when ripe, exposing numerous black, kidney-shaped seeds

Light

Full sun

Soil

Moist, well-drained

Planting & Care

Other common names include Jamestown weed, thorn apple, downy thornapple, devil's trumpet, angel's trumpet, mad apple and stinkwort
Because of its toxicity, caution should be exercised when handling, siting and planting
Start seeds indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost, harden off and set plants out after last frost date
Give plants room, space about 3 feet apart
May self seed in the garden
Container plants may be overwintered indoors in a sunny window
Toxic plants are of concern around children, pets and livestock

Problems

All parts of this plant are extremely toxic to people and animals

Varieties

Datura metel 'Ballerina Purple' - twisted, silver white petals striped in purple, 2 to 3 feet tall and wide
D. metel 'Ballerina Yellow' - ruffled soft lemon yellow blooms
D. meteloides 'Evening Fragrance' - lavender tinted flower buds open to white
D. discolor 'Desert Thorn Apple' - white trumpets with indigo blue throats