Brunfelsia pauciflora

Care Guide

Shrubs

Evergreen

Non-Indigenous

Description:

The Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow is a fragrant evergreen shrub that produces masses of purple, lilac, and white flowers from spring into summer.

Other names:

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

Other Names

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

Plant Summary

Size:

2-3 m (h) x 4m (w)

Flowers:

Spring – Summer

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Origin:

South America

Watering Needs

Maintenance

Frost Sensitivity

Light Preference

Brunfelsia pauciflora

care guide

When to ferilise

Growing season (Spring to Fall)

How to Fertilise

Feed Yesterday, Today, Tomorrows every spring with good mulch of compost, peat or both mixed with bone phosphate and superphosphate to encourage flowering.

To ferilise Brunfelsia pauciflora, mix the feriliser according to the instructions on the package and apply it to the soil around the base of the plant. Avoid getting the feriliser on the leaves, as this can cause burn or damage. Water the plant well after ferilising, to help the nutrients reach the roots.

It is generally not necessary to ferilise Brunfelsia pauciflora during the winter months, as the plant will enter a dormant phase and will not be actively growing. Over-fertilisation can also cause excessive growth and reduced flower production.

To increase the blooming, add rose tree fertilizer once a week during the blooming season (spring and summer).

To help resolve yellowing leaves, sprinkle a handful of nitrogen-rich fertiliser granules around the root zones and to water it in immediately thereafter.

When to prune

The best time to prune the Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow is in the early spring, before the plant begins to put on new growth. This will allow you to remove any dead or damaged branches, as well as shape the plant to your desired form.

How to prune

To prune Brunfelsia pauciflora, use a pair of sharp, clean pruning shears or scissors. Start by removing any dead or damaged branches, cutting them back to the base of the plant. Then, shape the plant by cutting back any long or straggly branches, leaving the plant with a neat, compact form.

Avoid cutting back more than one-third of the plant’s total growth, as this can stress the plant and reduce its ability to produce flowers.

It is also important to remove any spent flowers from the plant, as this will help to encourage the development of new flowers. Simply snip off the flowers at the base of the stem, taking care not to damage the plant.

Once established, Brumfelsia pauciflora can be grown in a variety of soil types and thrives in well-draining, slightly acidic soil. It is best grown in a location that receives partial shade and is protected from strong winds.

When grown as a houseplant, Brunfelsia pauciflora typically requires regular watering to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it is important to let the soil dry out slightly between watering.

When watering Brunfelsia pauciflora, it is best to water the plant at the base of the stem, avoiding getting the leaves and flowers wet. This can help prevent the development of fungal diseases. Additionally, the plant should be watered in the morning, so that the leaves have time to dry out before nightfall. This can help prevent the growth of mould or mildew on the leaves.

In general, Brunfelsia pauciflora should be watered whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. The exact watering schedule will depend on factors such as the plant’s size, the type of soil it is grown in, and the local climate. In general, it is better to err on the side of slightly under-watering the plant than to overwater it.

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrows flower profusely in spring, and intermittently throughout the summer.

With proper care and growing conditions, Brunfelsia pauciflora can produce beautiful, fragrant flowers throughout the year.

Brunfelsia pauciflora

propagation

Propagation of the Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow is typically done through the use of stem cuttings. To propagate the plant in this way, you would need to take a cutting from a healthy stem and plant it in moist soil. The cutting will then form roots and develop into a new plant. Alternatively, the plant can also be propagated by seed, though this method is less common.

Propagating by cuttings

The best time to take a cutting is in spring when growth hormones are active.

Snip a 5- 8 cm cutting from the soft, new growth, of an established plant.
Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting and dip the tip in a rooting hormone (Dynaroot #2 is my go to choice for most plants)
Place the dipped end into a container of dampened sterile seed starting mix that drains well.
Place the container in a warm spot with indirect sunlight and mist the cutting daily to ensure that the soil does not dry out.
The cuttings should take root in about 4 weeks. Test for root growth by (very) gently tugging on the cuttings to feel if there is some resistance.
Transplant the cuttings into individual 10-cm pots that contain professional potting mixture.
Pinch off the very top of the cutting to encourage branching or leave the stem intact to allow the newly rooted plant to increase in height.

Brunfelsia pauciflora

problems

Like all plants, Brunfelsia pauciflora is susceptible to a variety of problems that can affect its health and growth. Some of the most common problems that can affect Brunfelsia pauciflora include the following:

Overwatering: Brunfelsia pauciflora is sensitive to overwatering and can develop root rot if the soil is consistently too wet. It is important to allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering and to avoid overwatering the plant.
Pest infestations: Brunfelsia pauciflora is susceptible to pests such as aphids and mealybugs, which can damage the leaves and flowers of the plant. These pests can be controlled with the use of insecticides or by removing them by hand.
Fungal diseases: Brunfelsia pauciflora is also susceptible to fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew and leaf spot. These diseases can be prevented by avoiding overhead watering and providing the plant with adequate air circulation. If the plant does develop a fungal disease, it can be treated with the use of fungicides.
Poor drainage: Brunfelsia pauciflora requires well-draining soil in order to thrive. If the plant is grown in soil that does not drain properly, it can be prone to root rot and other problems. It is important to choose a potting mix that is designed for well-draining and to avoid over-watering the plant.

Overall, proper care and attention to the growing conditions of Brunfelsia pauciflora can help to prevent many of the common problems that can affect this beautiful flowering shrub.

Benefits and uses

The Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow has a number of benefits, both in terms of its appearance and its potential uses. Some of the benefits include following:

Attractive flowers: The Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow is known for its beautiful, fragrant flowers, which change colour over the course of several days. The flowers start off as purple, then turn blue, and eventually become white. This unique feature makes Brunfelsia pauciflora a highly desirable plant for gardeners and flower enthusiasts.
Easy to grow:It is relatively easy to grow and can be grown in a variety of soil types and conditions. The plant is also tolerant of partial shade, making it a good choice for gardens with limited sunlight.
Versatile use: It can be grown as a houseplant, a container plant, or in the garden. Its compact size and attractive flowers make it a popular choice for a variety of gardening settings.

Overall, B. pauciflora is a versatile and attractive plant that can provide a number of benefits to gardeners and flower enthusiasts.