Brunfelsia shrub: A beautiful tongue twister

Brunfelsia pauciflora ‘Floribunda’ — say that three times! Nicknamed “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” the brunfelsia shrub blooms profusely with pansy-like, fragrant flowers in Southwest Florida landscapes until the end of summer. Native to Brazilian woodlands, it burgeons a deep violet, turns to lavender and then white all in three days; hence its moniker. The ‘Floribunda’ variety stays a bit more compact than her cousins.

Brunfelsia shrubA member of the Nightshade family, all parts of brunfelsia are toxic to humans and animals—so don’t plant it where children or pets could get a taste. It can grow in either dappled shade or full sun, but needs consistent moisture to show its best during the hottest part of the day. And oh, do butterflies love it when you add them to your natural landscape. Their size and long, leathery semi-evergreen leaves make brunfelsia an easy choice for an airy privacy hedge or shrub border. Without pruning, brunfelsia will grow up to eight feet tall and five feet wide, but you can control it with moderate pruning after flowering.

The plant needs moist, rich and well-drained soil and an annual dose of fertilizer. Give brunfelsia shrubs a chance and it will quickly become one of your favorite plants. Or, contact an award-winning landscape designer at ArtisTree Landscape Maintenance & Design for a consultation on how to incorporate this romantic beauty into your Florida landscape. Call 941.488.8897 or visit our contact page.

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