Alas, your purple people eater angel trumpet is not a brugmansia, but a datura. I have grown them here in zone 5, Ontario with good results. You have to treat them as an annual though. Plant the seeds and step back, ... if they germinate. Sometimes they are difficult to get going, but if they do, you'll enjoy them. Not much of a scent though, and I am a scent person. LOL

Here is a link that might be useful: Purple People Eater

Whatever you do don't buy from Michigan Bulb Co. They are a part of Direct Gardening or visa versa and are probably one of the worst mail order companies around.

I have no problem growing daturas. I soak the seeds overnight and plant them just under the soil. I usually start some early inside with bottom heat. My double daturas don't get as big as my singles, certainly not 5', but maybe 3'. I've never noticed a scent from any of my doubles but some of the singles smell nice. Christine send me an email, there's no way to contact you on your member page.
Karyn

In Response to Karynl, I've had the best luck with michigan bulb. The only problem I've ever encountered is my tulips were no good - just came up with 1 leave, so i complained and they sent me either more bulbs, or a gift certificate. They have real nice stuff, in my opinion.

Don't ya just love how some companies don't know what they are selling or even changed the names??? I'm standing behind karyn1 in her post, there are better sources for plants.

I ordered the purple people eater from Michigan bulb too. I have to day that I was terribly disappointed with the withered little dry stick they sent me, almost the entire growing season has passed now and it STILL is a miserable little stick, but it has 2 leaves and it AMAZINGLY enough bloomed ONCE!! I would geuss that when it arrived it was about 6inches tall, now it's about 8 inches. The daylilies I ordered from them also sucked BIG TIME, my Walmart ones blew the michigan bulb ones out of the water, and THAT's not saying much being they were rescue plants from the Clearance rack!!
I will say that Michigan bulb will replace your plants for you, it may take MONTHS to do so, but hey at least you will have more crappy plants to replace the original order of crappy plants that died months ago.
I love looking at their catalogs, great pictures, good bathroom reading material I have several parked on the toilet tank now, LOL.
Just my two cents.
Erin

Sorry to butt in here. . .but I disagree.

My first brugs this year are from Michigan bulb. (12 of them) They're were little 5" plants (scrawny little guys compared to now.) Well packaged, healthy, happy. All the plants I had ordered came in wonderful little shipping packs - had been watered - and were well cared for when they were boxed.

They were a WONDERFUL price. 3 for 7.00 or something like that.

I bought a BOAT load of stuff from them during a fluke sale I hit on line.

I also have their purple people eaters. 3 for 5.00 (something like that.) They were terrific also - the problem was me, not the plants. Lots of blooms - but I didn't have them potted right.

Also had 9 clematis - had to give those all away because we weren't ready to plant them. Again, all healthy, happy, VERY well packaged. And they're thriving/blooming at their new homes already.

They're under new ownership now - and I've ordered from them before, and not had a problem. I had a good experience with them and I would order from them again.

Dweeb

Dweeb I think you are one of the lucky few. All the companies associated with Michigan Bulb and Mich Bulb have dismal customer satisfaction reviews. Personally I'd never buy from them or any of their sister companies and would advise others not to buy either. If you got nice plants I think that's great but I wouldn't risk doing business with this company. Erin I grow daturas as annuals from seed here and they do beautifully, especially the double purples. If you would like seeds send me an email.
Karyn

Here is a link that might be useful: Garden Watchdog reviews of Michigan Bulb Co

Karen: I may have been lucky, I was very pleased. I was so thrilled with my entire order (understand, my order was north of 400.00) - I would order again.

I ordered other stuff from a different discount place - and NEVER again. Now THAT stuff was nasty.

But I'll do business again with MB.

I for one am done with MB.most of my order is supposed to be replaced in spring of 08. only thing that survived was a brug and it is probably about 1 ft. now. no blooms. yep it was a 1 leaf stick. everything was packed good, but mostly dead. No more !!!

marymac

I have to agree with majority here, I have ordered from Michigan Bulb in the past, twice, and was disappointed both times. I work too hard for my dollars!

My daughter-in-law bought me a people eater. It has large double flowers. Beautiful! It is now producing seeds. Do I let them dry or plant them when the pod pops? Thanks! I am new to this site and have a lot to learn.

My purple people eater trumpet is hugh, 5 feet tall. What is the stange thing coming out from stem on first picture.