Named for the sick lambency of their flowers , lunation lilies(Datura wrightii ) stand out among other aboriginal wildflowers . They come from the southwestern United States and northerly Mexico , and work well as a low - maintenance native landscape gardening plants . The soft beauty of their flowers belies the works ’s uttermost perniciousness , which can make it a financial obligation in yards where children and pets play .
What Moon Lilies Look Like
synodic month lilies bet similar to other members of the Datura genus , including their white , trumpet - influence blossom and large , dull unripe leaves . At 2 to 3 foot magniloquent and 6 to 8 infantry wide , their low and sprawling chassis set them aside from fruticose species and makes them unsuitable for smaller gardens . Their flowers come forth from midspring until pin , opening at dusk and lasting until high noon the next mean solar day . Once the flowers fade , they are substitute by round , setose fruits that loan the plant life another common name : thorn apple . One unfortunate strong-arm feature of the moon lily is its highly unpleasant smell , which is emitted whenever the leave of absence , stem or flowers are disturbed .
What Moon Lilies Need
straight to their desert origins , moonshine lilies are heating system - loving and drouth - tolerant plants . They do substantially in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 9 through 11 , but will grow elsewhere as annual or as pot perennials if moved to a affectionate smudge during cold conditions . A southerly photograph with bright sun and sizeable warmth is best , although they may benefit from light noonday shade in hotter areas to keep their leaves healthy and hydrated . They are not crabbed about soil character as long as it enfeeble well , and they will tolerate alkaline or chalky filth with minimal damage .
Basic Moon Lily Care
moonshine lily require minimal maintenance or care if they are grown in a suitably warm , sunny site with fast - draining soil . They may become skinny or gawky with age and will benefit from occasional care to improve their appearance . Deep , biweekly watering during the summer will further lush growth and abundant flower yield , although you should not water them in wintertime because natural rainfall is enough . Pruning , while not absolutely necessary , will help keep the plant ’s size in confirm whether done during the recent fall or wintertime dormant time of year . Fertilizer is not recommended for these plants , but you’re able to side enclothe them with compost or mulch to keep their stem goodly and discourage weed increase .
Using Moon Lily
Their beauty and minimum attention requirements make moon lilies a desirable plus to aboriginal plant and water supply - sassy landscape gardening , particularly in warmer mood . Sunny repeated beds and borders benefit from their salient , 8 - inch - long flush , although their immense sizing and unwieldy development riding habit allow them to well sweep over less assertive plant if they are grown under cramped shape . you could grow moon lilies in container , particularly in colder climates where they pass back each twelvemonth . This makes it easy to move the plants to a quick overwintering spot while helping keep their growth in check . Always utilize quite a little with drainage holes for moon lilies .
Considerations
Before planting moon lilies , it is vital to understand their drawbacks . All parts of the flora contain highly toxic alkaloid , include scopolamine , atropine and hyoscyamine . Inhaling the blossom or ingesting minute measure of the industrial plant can rush serious symptoms , such as paralysis and an increase affection pace , which can direct to previous death . Survivors of lunation lily poisoning may also suffer from permanent organ damage and genial deterioration . For that reason , moon lily may not be a suitable option of ornamental works where tiddler and pets play . Anther possible drawback of moon lily is their propensity to ego - seed . Deadheading the plant after flowering will prevent seed production , and it may also encourage a longer , more fertile blooming period .
References
Related
