Credit: David Foley
Brugmansia sanguinea
Background and story
The Red Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia sanguinea) is a striking shrub or small tree native to the cool, high-altitude Andes of South America, particularly Peru and Ecuador.
Unlike many of its relatives, which favour tropical lowlands, this species is adapted to cooler mountain climates, a trait reflected in its tolerance of lower temperatures.
It was introduced to Ireland and Britain in the 19th century, where it attracted interest for its pendulous, tubular flowers in vivid shades of red, orange, and yellow, often lacking the strong fragrance of other Brugmansias but making up for it in colour and form.
Did you know?
It is pollinated by the sword‑billed hummingbird, whose beak is so long that it is almost uniquely suited to reach the nectar deep inside the flower tube. This is a classic example of coevolution, where plant and pollinator evolve together. (See picture in gallery below).
Hardiness and conservation
The recorded RHS hardiness rating is H2, which means this plant can tolerate cool conditions, but not frost. In practice, it should be treated as frost-tender outdoors. Local hardiness always depends on local shelter, drainage, winter wet, salt-laden wind and the plant’s age and establishment.
The IUCN Red List status recorded here is Extinct in the Wild (EW). This means it is known only in cultivation, captivity or outside its natural range. The assessment year recorded in the plant data is 2014.
Additional notes for Ireland and Britain
In Ireland and Britain, Brugmansia sanguinea is not reliably hardy outdoors and is best grown as a container plant or conservatory specimen, where it can be protected from frost. It prefers cool summers, rich soil, and consistent moisture, and can grow to 2–4 metres under favourable conditions. Unlike heat-loving species, it may struggle in very hot weather but can perform well in sheltered Irish summers if given protection in winter. It is often moved outdoors for the growing season and brought under cover as temperatures drop. Its bold flowers make it a valuable seasonal feature, though it requires a degree of management not needed by hardier shrubs.
From a conservation and hardiness perspective, Brugmansia sanguinea is not considered threatened in cultivation, though wild populations of Brugmansia species have declined in places due to habitat change. It is widely grown and preserved through horticulture. In terms of hardiness, it tolerates only light frost at most (around 0°C to −2°C) and is highly sensitive to colder conditions, meaning it cannot be relied upon outdoors in Irish winters. Its main limitations are frost and prolonged cold rather than moisture, provided it is well drained. In an Irish context, it is best regarded as a seasonal or protected plant, offering strong visual reward but requiring active care.
Notable features
- It belongs to the “cold group” of Brugmansia, adapted to high-altitude Andean climates, meaning it actually prefers cooler temperatures and struggles in heat, unlike most of its relatives.
- Most Brugmansia species are strongly fragrant at night to attract moths, but B. sanguinea is odourless and brightly coloured, because it relies on day-active birds rather than night pollinators
- In its mountain habitat, periods of frost or stress can cause it to drop leaves and 'hibernate' to regrow later, behaving more like a deciduous plant than a typical tropical shrub.
- It belongs to the deadly nightshade family and is extremely toxic. All parts contain powerful hallucinogenic alkaloids (including atropine and scopolamine), and it has been used in traditional Andean ritual and shamanic practices, though it is highly dangerous if misused.
Earlscliffe notes
Brugmansia sanguinea grows well at Earlscliffe and remains outside all year round. It can be checked by frost, and hard weather may make the top growth look completely dead, but well-established plants are surprisingly resilient. If frost cuts it back, leave the roots in place rather than removing the plant. In our experience, it can resprout strongly the following year.
The plant survived the severe winter of 2010. At the time it appeared to have been killed outright, and we cut it down to ground level. The following year, however, it grew back from the base.
Where to see it in the garden
Tour Area ❷, Tour Area ❽Gallery
Credit: David Foley
Credit: By Andy Morffew, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61980654