Q: While in Huntsville, Alabama I read about an outdoor plant with sweet aroma flowers called “Yesterday, today, and tomorrow.” Please tell me if you have any information about it. Would it grow here in north Florida? I would love to hear all about it.

A: “Yesterday, today and tomorrow”, Brunfelsia grandifora, is an evergreen shrub which normally grows best in cold hardiness zones 9b-11 (Central and South Florida). The west part of Nassau County, Callahan, Bryceville and Hilliard, are in cold hardiness zones 8b. However, you may be able to protect this tender tropical plant enough for it to survive. It will be most susceptible to freeze damage the first few years it is planted in your yard. After that, it should be acclimated to the site and you would need to protect it only during hard freezes of 32 degrees and below. If you decide you want to try it, I would suggest you plant it in the spring to give it time to become acclimated to your site. It prefers partial sun so be sure to keep it away from full afternoon sun. It can reach heights of up to 6 feet with 6 feet spread. The flowers are indeed fragrant and change color from blue to white. All parts of the plant are poisonous so be sure to protect your curious pets if they are prone to eating plant seeds and foliage.

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