Datura glowing at twilight

June 06, 2017


After a sunset that turned the sky gold last evening, I took a twilight stroll through the garden*, Ruth Wilcox-style, and stopped to admire several datura blossoms perfuming the air.


Still sparkling from an afternoon downpour, the plate-sized, horned blossoms unfurled as the moon rose.


Now bring on the sphinx moths.

*Plant IDs in the top photo: ‘Monterrey Frost’ squid agave (Agave bracteosa ‘Monterrey Frost’), Datura wrightii, ‘Frazzle Dazzle’ dyckia (Dyckia choristaminea ‘Frazzle Dazzle’), whale’s tongue agave (Agave ovatifolia), and silver ponyfoot (Dichondra argentea).

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10 responses to “Datura glowing at twilight”

  1. Kris P says:

    The variegated squid looks great with the Datura!

  2. That Squid does shine in the moonlight as does the datura. My datura isn’t making buds yet. It won’t be long.

  3. That sounds magical! There is something very enchanting about the evening garden and watching it come to life with the night time pollinators.

  4. Wendy Moore says:

    Datura is so gorgeous even when it isn’t in bloom! When I google it it’s listed as needing full sun, do you find that to be the case? I’m looking for an excuse to plant one but can’t deliver on full sun.

    • Pam/Digging says:

      I have zero full sun, Wendy. I have a datura in the front garden that does so-so in bright shade. This one in the back garden gets dappled sun with a little afternoon sun — but still no more than part shade overall — and is blooming nicely. I say go for it. Just choose your brightest spot. —Pam

  5. I can almost smell them from here! Such a tropical looking beauty. It’s amazing how those light colored flowers show up at dusk. Like little moons glowing on their own.