Plant Profile: Brunfelsia magnifica

The stunning Brunfelsia is a flowering shrub that retains its leaves year-round and resembles tropical plants, belonging to the nightshade family. It boasts large, vibrant purple blooms that last for about four to five days before transitioning to shades of lilac and white. These flowers emerge at the tips of new growth, meaning that a greater number of branches will yield more blossoms, allowing for nearly continuous flowering throughout the year. Pruning can be done at any time, except from September to November, when the flowers are forming. In the northern regions of its habitat, this plant may lose its leaves in the winter.

Brunfelsia thrives in consistently moist, nutrient-rich, well-drained acidic soil. In North Carolina, it will need to be moved indoors during the winter months. It requires about three to four hours of direct sunlight each day. While the plant is actively growing, keep the soil moist, but reduce watering during its dormant phase.