The angel’s trumpet produces large trumpet-shaped flowers that hang upside down from the branches. The flowers unfurl from large buds, each flower holding the ribs of its pagoda-roof folds and sporting a whisker-like extension that makes the flowers look truly exotic, which they are.

This is a tropical plant from South America, but it can be grown successfully here in a greenhouse or even outdoors, and it makes a special plant for late summer and into October if the weather is good. It only begins to flower in late summer in this country, though much earlier in warmer countries and in the warmth of a greenhouse.

The part of the plant above-ground is usually killed by frost in winter here and then it has to re-establish from the base. The new stems take time to grow and this pushes flowering back to late summer.

In a big conservatory, or outdoors in a frost-free sunny climate, it can make a small tree that reaches to about four metres tall and wide. A tree, bedecked with scores of large flowers dangling from the horizontal branches, is very eye-catching. The flowers of the biggest kinds can reach 30cm long and 15cm across at the mouth.

In this country, only a few kinds are grown. The most commonly grown kind is the red angel’s trumpet, now called Brugmansia sanguinea, formerly called datura, and still known by that name. Its flowers are not as big as the less-hardy kinds, narrower and about half as long, orange-red near the mouth of the trumpet, yellow further back.

There are several other species, with white, yellow and pink flowers, some frilled at the edge of the trumpet. There are some named varieties too, such as ‘Aztec Gold’, a nice clear yellow, ‘Grand Marnier’, which is pale apricot and ‘Ecuador Pink’, a soft pink.

None of these are hardy but they can be grown in a conservatory or greenhouse. As a conservatory is likely to escape frost, there is the possibility of growing a small tree to a couple of metres, either in a large pot or in the open soil of the conservatory, if there is any access to soil. Potted plants can be brought outdoors in summer and they give an exotic look to a patio.

A greenhouse with good frost protection can see them get through winter, but without protection, they are likely to die back to ground level and the more tender ones can die out.

The red datura is hardier than others and is grown outdoors in mild areas of the country, often with the backing heat of a wall. It is usually cut down by frost but stands a better chance of survival if the root area is covered with leafy mulch in winter.

In cold parts of the United States, the plants are sometimes dug up in late autumn and stored in a shed over winter, but this is quite a job, as the root-ball can be large. When grown in a pot, water and liquid feed well from spring to August to encourage rapid growth and lots of flowers.

Brugmansia is easily grown from cuttings of the young shoots, but be careful when handling the plant, especially cutting it back, or taking cuttings, as its juice is poisonous if ingested, and, though rare, cases have occurred.

When potting, use half-soil and half-compost to give a nice open, but moisture-retaining structure. In the garden it likes well-drained, rich fertile soil and a sunny, sheltered position. The large-flowered kinds are usually fragrant, but the red angel’s trumpet has no scent.

Protect your winter chard

Chard and the related spinach beet, or leaf beet, are good winter vegetables, and there are not many winter green vegetables than can be grown outdoors. The green leaves can be used in the same way as spinach, and the leaf mid-ribs and stalks can be cooked like celery, or in stir-fries.

Although they last the full winter to about April, when they eventually bolt, severe frost can do some surface damage, but there are always some undamaged leaves underneath.

The other threat is slugs and snails. These can be still active in late autumn if the temperature levels are high enough. When the weather gets frosty, they become inactive and get under cover so they do not freeze. Watch for signs of damage and it might even be possible to find the main culprits and remove them. But laying out some slates or bits of timber attracts them for later removal.

>> This week

Flowers

Summer bedding begins to tire now and can be removed in preparation for planting spring bedding. Spring bulbs and containers can be planted up for spring display. Perennial flowers can be planted or lifted, divided and re-planted in the case of existing plants, or new perennials plants from pots.

Trees, shrubs and roses

Prune climbing roses, that have finished flowering, and any ramblers not already pruned. It is a good time to prepare ground for planting if not already done. Planting from containers can continue. Check that trees recently planted are properly staked and check on the support for wall-trained climbers.

Fruit, vegetables and herbs

Fruit crops can be picked and stored, using flat shelves or trays for pears and plastic bags, open at the neck, for apples. Weeds should be removed and old vegetables chopped up and composted with some fallen leaves. Cover areas of soil with old carpet to keep down weeds. Strawberries can be planted now. Tidy up herb plants.

Lawn

There has been a lot of late grass growth in recent weeks. Sulphate of iron can be applied if moss was a problem last winter and spring. An autumn lawn fertiliser can be used or a low-nitrogen compound fertiliser. This will maintain a little growth through winter and continue mowing as long as the soil is not soggy.

Greenhouse

Tidy up debris and reduce watering to just keep pots from going bone-dry. Most of the greenhouse crops can be cleared soon – tomatoes, chillies, melons and cucumbers. Throw out any old plants that are past their best, as they are a source of pests and diseases to carry over to next year’s plants.