Expand your mind and your perennial garden with hallucinogenic plants. (Arundo, Brugmansia, Delosperma, Phalaris, etc.)
Many home gardeners like to have garden plants that are not only beautiful, but also have cultural, spiritual or ceremonial significance. Hallucinogenic plants fall into this category and although many hallucinogenic plants are illegal, a few are perfectly legal and they make beautiful additions to the spiritual garden.
Read More About Hallucinogenic Plants
Hallucinogenic plants contain a variety of active compounds that cause dissociation, delirium, or hallucinations. They cause changes in perception, thought and emotion which are used by some for recreation and by others to disconnect from the real world in order to interact with the spiritual world. Here at PDN, we grow plants for their beauty, not their alkaloid content, and although some of our ornamental plants are also hallucinogenic plants, they may also be deadly toxic. We recommend growing these plants for their beauty and for their cultural symbolism, but not for ingestion.
Many human cultures use hallucinogenic plants in religious or spiritual ceremonies. In the US, some Native American religions have a long history of using hallucinogenic plants in ceremonial practices. Several ancient human cultures have also used hallucinogenic plants including the Egyptians, Mycenaeans, Greeks, Mayans, Aztecs, and Amazonians. There is also evidence that prehistoric human and Neanderthal groups used hallucinogenic plants ceremonially. More recently, the counterculture movements of the 1950s and 60s produced a generation of beatniks and hippies that were recreational users of hallucinogenic plants.
Whether you are looking to commune with god, chase the white rabbit, or simply enjoy a culturally symbolic plant, you can buy hallucinogenic plants for your garden here at PDN. Check out our online list of hallucinogenic plants for sale below. Peace, love, and plants! Can you dig it? Get it? Dig.
Since 1988, Plant Delights Nursery has been the choice of serious gardeners and plant collectors looking for the best and rarest perennial plants. We are pleased to have received the Perennial Plant Association Retail Award in 2011, the American Horticulture Society Commercial Award in 2002, and to have been selected as one of the Best Mail Order Plant Nurseries - Garden Design Magazine 2010. Welcome to our family of plant lovers!
Acorus calamus 'Variegatus' is an aroid relative and former member of the "family" before being ousted by the molecular taxonomy mob. Acorus calamus is now in the horticulture protection program disguised as a dramatic, upright deciduous iris. The vivid white and green banded, deer-resistant leaves of Acorus calamus 'Variegatus' make this one of the most strikingly beautiful vertical accent plants in the garden! Variegated sweet flag spreads slowly by means of a very thick above-ground rhizome. Sweet flag loves a moist spot such as a bog but will also grow in ordinary garden soils...a real easy-to-grow, carefree prize! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Despite the long, tongue-twisting name, the dwarf golden sweet flag is one of the most striking and certainly the cutest of the acorus. The tufts of tiny, golden, ornamental grass-like, evergold foliage make a slowly spreading patch to 2' wide in 5 years. If you get out the magnifying glass, you'll notice the tiny aroid-like tan spadices (flowers) in early summer. Acorus 'Minimus Aureus' is a bright, deer-resistant, dwarf evergreen perennial groundcover in moist shady areas where it makes either a feature specimen or a killer filler between dark stepping stones...a real highlight in the woodland garden. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This beautiful new UK selection of the giant reed grass adds a new twist to a great deer-resistant garden plant. Arundo 'Golden Chain' was named in the mid-1990s by Liam Mackenzie of the UK's Madrona Nursery as a tissue culture mutation from Arundo donax 'Versicolor'. Arundo 'Golden Chain' forms a clump of 7' tall upright stalks of medium green leaves edged in gold. The color holds all season, unlike the larger and more common Arundo donax 'Versicolor'. Arundo 'Golden Chain' is also a much smaller and less vigorous plant which makes propagation more of a chore, but keeps it in scale with smaller gardens. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This wonderful deer-resistant grass, native to Mediterranean freshwater wetlands, has long been a favorite of gardeners. The only drawback was the fading of the leaf variegation in warm weather. Arundo 'Peppermint Stick', imported from the Shanghai Botanic Garden by plantsman Greg Speichert, solves that, with striped leaves just as vivid in summer as in spring. Arundo 'Peppermint Stick' forms sturdy 12' tall canes, adorned with wide green-and-white striped leaves. In the fall, the clumps are topped with 18" tall bronze-colored plumes. Arundo may get too large for small gardens, but it is NOT an invasive plant (displacing natives in functioning ecosystems) as I read in some eco-Nazi literature. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This splendid angel trumpet has been a real star in our trials. Despite dying to the ground each winter in our climate, the deer-resistant Brugmansia 'Betty Marshall' reaches a massive 10' in height each year with over 200 flowers at once, starting in late summer and continuing until frost. The 11" long x 7" wide, flaring creamy white flowers exude a honeysuckle-like nocturnal fragrance usually only associated with California's Sunset Boulevard red-light district. This has proven to be one of the most winter hardy brugmansias we grow, so far surviving 9 degrees F with no problem. We offered this from 2010-2012 as Brugmansia 'Antique Lace', which is how we purchased our plant. We subsequently discovered that this is actually Brugmansia 'Betty Marshall'....sorry for the error. Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
This pass-along angel trumpet hybrid still rates near the top of the list of great angel trumpets. Brugmansia 'Charles Grimaldi' is a vigorous deer-resistant grower reaching 8' tall by the end of each growing season. Starting in late summer and continuing into the fall, the plant is laden with up to 100 huge, 12" long, golden-orange pendent flowers. Did I mention the flowers are deliciously fragrant in the late afternoon and evening? Establish angel trumpet plants early in the season and don't cut back the old stalks until spring in regions north of Zone 8. Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
I've grown many angel trumpet selections over the years, but none have blown me away like Brugmansia 'Cherub'. Brugmansia 'Cherub' is the first angel trumpet out of the ground in spring, the most vigorous, and by far the most floriferous. This seedling of Brugmansia 'Ecuador Pink' was hybridized by Dr. Jim Alston of Park Seed. The 7' tall stalk jumps out of the ground in spring, adorned by long, dark green leaves. Starting in late summer (NC), the top of the deer-resistant clump is adorned with hundreds of large, dangling salmon-pink trumpet-shaped flowers that are exceedingly fragrant in the afternoon and evening...simply superb! Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
Brugmansia 'Miner's Claim' is an awesome angel trumpet from California's Keith Miner, who discovered it in 1999 as a mutation in a block of Brugmansia 'Frosty Pink' at Monterrey Bay Nursery. The bold green leaves are each bordered with a 1"+ bright creamy-yellow edge. The stunning 5' tall deer resistant clump is laden in early summer, then again in the fall, with hundreds (when mature) of large, pendent, fleshy-pink, nocturnally fragrant flowers. This baby is hotter than a $50 whore in downtown New Orleans...in August. Unlike the aforementioned, this one is mostly legal...unless you try to smoke it or propagate it. Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
Oh, my! Every now and then a new plant comes along so stunning it makes you fall to your knees and weep. Actually, I do that when I back into them, but that's another matter. This Terra Nova angel trumpet introduction is a tetraploid version of the popular Brugmansia 'Sunset'. The huge, tricolor variegated leaves are dark green in the center, with narrow blotches of light grey-green toward the edge, surrounded by a 1" wide creamy white border. The 60" tall deer-resistant clumps are adorned with huge, fragrant apricot flowers dangling from the branches in midsummer and again in late summer. AMAZING! Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
We are thrilled to bring you one of the finest perennials for those in zones 7 and 8, and as a deer-resistant shrub for those from zone 9 south, and a great container plant for those of you in the arctic zones north of zone 7. Brugmansias have long been prized for their stunning flowers, but now variegated foliage is also possible. For us, Brugmansia 'Sunset' is a large perennial to 5' tall, adorned with large tobacco-like leaves edged in white. In late summer, the clumps are topped with dozens of fragrant, light golden peachy flowers...a true showstopper! To overwinter in colder zones, simply take 1-2' cane sections and store in slightly moist peat moss. Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
Brugmansia x candida is a naturally-occurring hybrid of two Ecuadorian species, Brugmansia aurea x Brugmansia versicolor. Brugmansia x candida 'Double White' has proven to be an exceptional grower for us, topping out at 8' tall by year's end. Starting in late summer and continuing through fall, the broad-shouldered, deer-resistant plant is adorned with up to 100 large double white flowers, dangling like newly washed underwear beneath the tobacco-like foliage. To the sweet fragrance of the flowers in the evening, add a full moon and a bottle of wine, and you'll be in the mood for love. Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
This superb and easy-to-grow introduction from Southern Perennials and Herbs is a cross of Cestrum diurnum x Cestrum nocturnum. For us, this superb selection has been both floriferous and winter-hardy. The fast-growing woody stems are clothed in ligustrum-shaped, deer-resistant leaves, and adorned from early June until frost with terminal clusters of mustard-orange (RHS 25B) flowers tipped in yellow...a hummingbird delight. When winters drop into the single digits, Cestrum 'Orange Peel' behaves as a dieback perennial that returns in spring to reach 8' tall x 8' wide by fall...simply superb! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Named by the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) as one of their top 200 plants of the last 200 years, Cestrum parqui is truly one of the most amazingly floriferous perennials that we grow. From Zone 8 south, Cestrum parqui actually behaves like a shrub and can reach 15' tall in very tropical locations, but only 5' in temperate climates. Beginning in early summer and continuing until first frost, our 6' wide deer-resistant "bush" is smothered with both axillary and terminal floral clusters, each bearing hundreds of mustard-yellow flowers that attract hummingbirds. In the early evening, the flowers emit a powerful fragrance that perfumes the garden, but disappears by morning. Willow-leaved jessamine is a virtual flowering machine that is perfect for a special full sun location. While Cestrum parqui is a prolific seed producer, the seedlings do not stray from around the base of the main clump. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
From South Africa's Drakensberg Mountains comes the hardiest and cutest of the ice plants, Delosperma basuticum. This charmer makes a tight 1" tall x 8" wide clump of little jellybean-like leaves topped, starting in mid-April (NC) and continuing through May, with 1.5" screaming yellow daisies, each highlighted with a dramatic white center. The flowers of Delosperma basuticum appear to float just atop the foliage. Although the foliage is technically evergreen, don't expect much of a winter show. Thanks to Pennsylvania plantsman, John Lonsdale, for sharing after I lusted over this in his garden. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Delosperma 'Beaufort West' is an unidentified species that was collected from high alpine elevations near the town of Beaufort West in the Nieuwveld Mountains (South African Karroo). For the well-drained rock garden, Delosperma 'Beaufort West' is a real cutie. The slow-spreading, tiny, 1" tall cushion resembles a collection of small, green, rubbery marbles. In April in NC, the plants are topped with tiny, light pink flowers that continue until temperatures settle above 90 degrees F for the summer. Delosperma 'Beaufort West' doesn't appreciate summer rains and high humidity, but in our gravel scree, it does manage to come back year after year. At the Denver Botanic Garden, it continues to flower all summer. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
The succulent, needle-like leaves and fluorescent purple up-facing flowers make this semi-evergreen groundcover ice plant a sight to behold. Hot and sunny conditions keep the flowers of Delosperma cooperi coming most of the summer. This is a great groundcover for the beach, since it takes the salt as well as any margarita. A single plant of Delosperma cooperi can spread to 2' wide in one season. Although quite hardy, Cooper's ice plant cannot stand excessive winter moisture, either in the soil or applied from above. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Available 5-2-2013This new ice plant hails from the mountains of South Africa's Eastern Cape Province, but has adapted well to drier parts of the US. The 2" tall x 18" wide mats of fleshy green foliage are blanketed from April through August (except in excessive heat) with coral red stars. Delosperma dyeri was a 2007 Plant Select winner (Colorado State University/Denver Botanic Gardens). As with most delospermas, well-drained soils are essential to its survival. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Delosperma 'Eye Candy' is one of a new series of small-flowered ice plants from Nishikawa Koichiro of Japan's Florsaika. The ground-hugging patches of fleshy green leaves are topped, starting in late spring and continuing almost perpetually though the growing season, with lovely bicolor flowers that emerge carmine with a white center and age to orange. We have found this ice plant series to be intolerant of hot summers, so we do not recommend them for temperatures much above 90 degrees F for prolonged periods. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
(aka: Delosperma P0015 - an illegitimate cultivar name) It's a truly rare occasion when a new plant gets you so excited that you jump out of your chair and dance around like an NFL receiver scoring his first touchdown. Well, such a plant is Delosperma 'Fire Spinner'. This amazing, still unnamed delosperma species was discovered in the wilds of South Africa's East Cape at 6,000'+ near Tarkastad and brought to this country thanks to our friend and delosperma guru, Panayoti Kelaidis, of the Denver Botanic Garden. The groundcover mats of fleshy evergreen foliage spread to 2' in 2 years and are topped much of late spring and into early summer with eye-like upturned flowers composed of bright orange petals that morph to magenta at the base with a central white eye highlight...this is neon-quality tacky on steroids. You're sure to brighten up your rock garden with this 2012 Plant Select Winner. If you live in a HOA ruled neighborhood, good luck getting approval to plant Delosperma 'Fire Spinner'. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This marvelous ice plant appeared in 1998 as a seedling or mutation in a patch of dwarf alpine collections of Delosperma cooperi (probably crossed with Delosperma nubigenum) at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The succulent, jellybean-like leaves are topped with stunning salmon-pink flowers from spring to fall. Delosperma 'Kelaidis' is perfect for the rock garden where a low groundcover for a hot, dry site is needed. Our plants formed a stunning 3' wide patch in 3 years. Well-drained soils are very important for good performance. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
