Mystery tree in my garden-ID please?

dawng

Hello all,

If you could help me identify this tree/shrub I would be very grateful. I have lived here for 9 years and still haven't figured it out. I actually love the tree and unfortunately it's around the side of my house where nobody EVER goes. It spends part of its day in shade. It has two different colors of flowers on the same tree; dark purple and solid white. It has a very nice scent to the flowers, but only if you put your nose right to them.

I have 3 questions.

1. What is it? (I feel like it's a dogwood but can't find one with dark purple AND plain white flowers on the same tree.)
2. Could it tolerate unbearably hot full sun, which is what it would pretty much be getting if I moved it anywhere else in the yard?
3. Can it be moved without killing it? (if so then I would leave it where it is as I really do think it's lovely.)

Thank you very much in advance to those of you who might know the answer. One more thing, it gets this nasty cotton wool stuff all over it every summer with all these little flies. It gets almost completely covered. Suggestions for getting rid of that?

Thanks!!
Dawn

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Brent Ferris

The flower looks a bit like morning glory -- are you sure the flower is on the bush, and not on a vine being supported by the bush?

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dawng

Hi there,

thanks for taking a shot, but it is definitely not a vine. It has been there for all of the years I have lived here and I don't think it's getting any taller, so it's not a [I]huge[I] tree, but it's definitely a tree. In nine years it still hasn't gotten taller than my one-storey house yet. The leaves are a very light green, completely unbroken around the edges. They wilt very quickly after being taken off the tree and are quite delicate as tree leaves go. The flowers are purple and also white, on the same tree. I have been all over the net and haven't see one like it. My curiosity is driving me nuts, lol.

Bowani Siam

That is a Brunfelsia species. The flowers start off purple and fade to the lighter colour. It is POISONOUS and the sap can be irritating to some people.

Putting it in full sun will burn it. It does prefer some shade and the flowers stand out better in a semi shaded position. HOWEVER, it will adapt but not look as good!

It CAN be moved without killing it. They can tolerate being cut back almost to ground level. They are almost unkillable! If you're going to move it I suggest cutting it right back. Anyway, chances are it has sent some suckers up at the base so you could always pot one up just in case.

Bowani Siam

Also, the cotton wool-like stuff could be a cottony cushion scale or mealybug. The little flies could be whitefly. Hard to positively ID on the limited info.

Depending on what the problem is, a horticultural oil spray or pyrethrum-based spray will control both problems. Another one people use is yellow sticky paper that will trap the whiteflies!

Because of the size of the plant I would probably stay away from harsh chemicals or be prepared to gear up!

dawng

My happiness at finally knowing the name of this tree is WAY out of proportion to the importance of the knowledge, lol. THANK YOU! It's been making me crazy. A quick trip to google and now I know that I have a South American shaman's go-to plant in my back yard. Good to know...

Thanks again!
Dawn

Bowani Siam

Hahahaha no worries. I think I have a few different 'shamanistic go-to' plants in my garden as well.. Might explain a few things...

Eric Frei

Also known as:-

Yesterday today and tomorrow

and

Morning noon and night

Not kidding.

Plants and mushrooms - Brunfelsia

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