PlantFiles: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Kiss Me Quick
Brunfelsia latifolia

A WORD OF WARNING TO GARDENERS WHO ALSO HAVE DOGS.

I have never actually grown this plant, but the ASPCA has noted that it is toxic to dogs. To quote their recent article "According to a recently published study by Dr. Safdar Khan, veterinary toxicologist for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), dogs seem to be particularly attracted to the seeds and berries of the Brunfelsia plant, also known as “morning, noon and night” and “yesterday, today and tomorrow.” In fact, canines are most susceptible to poisoning by this gardener’s favorite, aptly named for its fragrant flowers that bloom in vivid purple and gradually change to lavender before fading to white.

From 2001 to 2006, the APCC treated 38 cases of Brunfelsia poisoning involving 42 dogs. One California hound experienced stiff limbs and excessive drooling after ingesting several seeds from the plant. A terrier puppy from Florida developed life-threatening seizures after consuming another part of the plant. With help from the APCC and the services of a local emergency veterinarian, the puppy eventually made a full recovery. However, three of the cases proved fatal."

I live in Orlando, Florida and I have this lovely plant...mine is 7 years old now and 14 feet tall. It blooms Dec...Jan...Feb....and makes a beautiful display. I planted it in compost when I planted it and it is mostly shaded during the day...gets about 2 hours of late afternoon sun a day. It needs watered a couple times a week and I put cow manure under it once a year. I have never tried to propagate it..but am thinking maybe I should try. The scent on mine is barely noticeable.

I only recently acquired this plant, it is about nine inches tall with three rather straggly limbs, but is blooming profusely in my greenhouse. I am concerned that there is no evidence of new leaf growth.

My neighbor has the Yesterday Today and Tomorrow plant and I just had to have it. So I reproduced it with two sticks, and it is beautiful.

Ritra from Coral Springs, Florida

Recently purchased this plant in Ocean Springs, Mississippi and will plant it by my front entranceway where I can protect it during winter months. The fragrance is wonderful and I know I will enjoy it hopefully for many years. Should not have any problem with the cold, I read somewhere recently where someone here in middle Georgia did very well with this beautiful plant in their yard.

Will keep you posted.

Mine is about 6 years old. It only blooms from early December through early March. It's about 8' tall and 6-7 feet in width. It's in partial shade of my neighbor's egg fruit tree. It's also front of a concrete wall and beside my concrete block dirt pit, so it's not bothered by concrete. Great plant! I love it when it's blooming, but as an evergreen it's very attractive too. Bugs don't seem to bother it. I have not experienced any self propagation by the plant.
Art

We planted this bush here in Sebastian, Florida in early spring and it has bloomed continuously since. It has reached a height of almost 5 feet in just a few months. The heat and humidity do not seem to affect this plant one bit.

My Aunt grew this evergreen shrub in her flower beds in Mobile, Alabama, where I was a frequent visitor as a child. The common name of Yesterday-Today-and Tomorrow comes from the quick change in the flower colors from purple to lavender to white. I've read that in partial shade the plant can reach 10 feet, but can be kept pruned to about 3 feet quite easily. My Aunt's plants were rather tall.

They like a lot of moisture and regular fertilizer, and are a good plant for containers or in greenhouses in more northern climates. There are quite a few named varieties, some of which are dwarfed. In the ground it likes to spread, and will stay evergreen in the Deep South for most of the year, or only lose its leaves for a very short time.

My grandfather bought several of the plants at a nursery in Plant City, FL in the early 1950s. This plant is growing in family gardens in both Waycross, GA, Jacksonville, FL and Albany, GA. It sends out underground runners which form new plants that can be transplanted and is easy to care for.