Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (The Brunfelsia)

The color changing blooms of the Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Shrub (Brunfelsia pauciflora) are a wonder to see. The three colors on one shrub, coupled with the jasmine-like fragrance, entice even those non gardeners to get a closer look.

The flowers open purple then, over a period of several days they fade to lavender and then, finally, pure white. After this they turn brown and die off.

I became interested in this shrub about five years ago when I saw a photograph of it on Dave's Garden.

A family member shared some seeds with me and I soon had a good size specimen in a pot. It was healthy and I thought I was on my way to having a beautiful shrub in my yard. That was not to be. My lovely seedling died. I did not try again until this year, when I received a rooted plant from my aunt. I kept it in a pot until recently, at which time, I planted it out in the yard. I placed a ring of fence wire around it and planted cypress vines on the fence to give it a bit of shade while it settles in. So far, so good.

Since I had failed at my first attempt with this plant, I decided to do a bit of research on it. I certainly did not want to kill a second one. While researching this plant, I discovered there are more of these plants than I thought.

The Brunfelsias belong to the Solanaceae family of plants, also known as the Nightshade family. There are more than 3000 species in the Solanaceae family. Many coming from the Andean/Amazonian regions of South America. [1]

Brunfelsia is named for Otto Brunfels, a Carthusian monk who published the first good drawings of plants in 1530.[2]

Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow Brunfelsia pauciflora Photo courtesy of Dave's Garden member, jnana

These are tropical plants and therefore, do not like the cold. Most are said to only grow in zones 10-11, however, they can be grown as far north as zone 8a. In very cold winters, they will need a bit of covering for those freezing nights. At least, until they are established in your yard. Once established, you will still want to keep a check on them as the freezing temperatures will burn the leaves and possibly kill the plant. A sheet draped over the plant usually works fine here in zone 8b. My aunt has a Brunfelsia pauciflora in her yard that is about six foot tall and she does not do anything special in the winter, other than to mulch the plant well.

Here are a few of the Brunfelsia that you can find listed in Dave's Garden Plant Files [3]

◊ Brunfelsia australis
australis- Meaning: Of or from the south, or Australia[2]
Common Names: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Morning, Noon and Night
Paraguay Jasmine
Eternity Plant
Height: 4-6 ft.
Bloom Color: Violet/Lavender, Purple, White/Near White

◊ Brunfelsia gigantea
gigantea- Meaning: Large, gigantic [2]
Common Names: Lady of the Night
Height: 4-6 ft
Bloom Color: White/Near White, Cream/Tan

◊ Brunfelsia isola
Common Names: Lady of the Night
Height:18-24 in.
Bloom Color: Blue-Violet, White/Near White

◊ Brunfelsia jamaicensis
jamaicensis- Meaning: Of or from the Jamaican Island[2]
Common Names: Lady of the Night
Height: 24-36 in.
Bloom Color: White/Near White

◊ Brunfelsia lactea
lactea--Meaning: Milky [2]
Common Names: Princess of the Night
Height: 4-6 ft.
Bloom Color: White/Near White

◊ Brunfelsia nyctaginoides
nyctaginoides- Meaning: Resembles four o'clocks (nyctaginea means night-blooming)[2]
Common Names: Unknown
Height: 3 ft.
Bloom Color: Red-Orange
*This is a different looking Brunfelsia than the YT&T. It is interesting and the hummingbirds love it.

◊ Brunfelsia pauciflora
pauciflora-Meaning: Few flowers[2]
Common Names: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Morning, Noon and Night
Brazil Rain Tree
Height: 4-6 ft.
Bloom Color: Rose/Mauve, Purple, White/Near White

◊ Brunfelsia undulata 'White Caps'
undulata- Meaning: Wavy [2]
Common Names: Rain Tree
Height: 4-6 ft.
Bloom Color: White/Near White

◊ Brunfelsia uniflora
uniflora-Meaning: Single flowered [2]
Common Names: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Height: 18-24 in.
Bloom Color: Blue-Violet, White/Near White

Happy Gardening~

WARNING
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow shrubs contain poisonous alkaloids. The berries are especially toxic.

Thumbnail photo by Dave's Garden member, Mitjo

[1] Cornell.edu

[2] Botanary

[3] PlantFiles

For a great article covering many plants in the Solanaceae family, check out:
The Solanaceae, what a family!
By Jean-Jacques Segalen
Mr. Segalen's article