Family: Solanaceae
Common Name: Morning, Noon and Night; Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

These attractive, free-flowering shrubs and trees are natives of South America and the West Indies. Mainly evergreen, they have pretty, fragrant flowers, either in terminal clusters or solitary, and simple, alternate, entire leaves. Many flower in late winter to spring.

Species

B. americana, lady-of-the-night, has oblong to oval leaves, white flowers, fading to yellow in midsummer, and yellow berries. It grows to 2 m (6 ft).

B. australis is an erect or spreading shrub which grows to only 60 cm (24 in). It has oval to oblong leaves, dark green on top with lighter green below, and dark purple summer flowers which fade quickly to nearly white.

B. latifolia, almost a dwarf shrub, has oval leaves and whitish to lavender flowers, with purple or lighter centers. Sometimes the flowers are solitary, sometimes they form small clusters.

B. pauciflora is similar to B. australis but with much larger blooms, generally of a richer purple colour, fading to pale blue, then to white. This is a spring-flowering species.

Cultivation

In frost-prone climates, grow in an intermediate greenhouse or conservatory, in pots or tubs of soil-based potting compost. Provide good light but shade from direct sun. Outdoors, plant in a rich, well-drained soil in a sunny spot which is shaded during the hottest part of the day. Lightly prune established plants before new growth starts. Propagate from softwood cuttings in spring or early summer.

Climate

Zone 10.