Iochroma australe, Blue Angel's trumpet, is a fast-growing woody shrub/small tree from southern Argentina with attractive tobacco-like foliage and stunning blue trumpet-shaped flowers that hang down in the manner of a miniature Brugmansia or some Daturas. It is a prolific flowerer and can be grown outdoors in the mild southwest or coastal regions if given a warm sheltered aspect and mulched heavily throughout the winter. Although hardier than a Brugmansia, in colder regions you will probably need to grow it in a container and bring it into a cool indoors environment in the winter.
It does best with evenly moist soil. Don't let it dry out completely, but don't keep it constantly soggy either.
Feed about every 2 months during periods of active growth using a granular fertilizer that contains micronutrients. Follow the dosage on the package.
For soil, use a well draining mix. A typical mix is 2 parts potting soil to 1 part perlite or coarse horticultural sand. An alternate mix is 1 part coco fiber to 1 part perlite, with some granular fertilizer mixed in. If you tend to overwater your plants, use extra perlite or sand in the mix.
Pruning isn't necessary, although you may prune it to shape it to your liking. Like most plants, removing lower side branches encourages upward growth, while pruning the main tip encourages side branches to form.
Protect it from frost the first 2 years. Mature plants can tolerate light frosts, but may lose branches.
Use a pot about twice as wide as the one it arrives in. A few months later, you can transfer it to larger container (or into the ground, in suitable climates).
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