Question
my grandmother gave me a moon by night flower from tennessee. i brought it home and plant in a partly shade area. i want to know when it will bloom and how long does the bloom last? the moon by night plant is really growing and i'm very please that it is.


Answer
Hi Arlene,
Thanx for your question.  I think what you are describing is datura or jimsonweed, thornapple, angel's trumpet, Gabriel's trumpet, etc.  Take a look at Google Images and make sure.  Here's a link.

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&um=1&ei=SXYuSoknprQ13-HY9Qk&sa=X&oi=spell&...

This is an easy plant to grow and yes, it blooms large white blossoms at night and in the morning and on cloudy days.  The bloom lasts one night but the plant will continue to bloom until frost.  It grows quickly the warmer it gets.  In Tennessee, it will probably start blooming by the end of June if not sooner.  Remember that this plant is considered a noxious weed in most parts of the country and all parts of the plant are poisonous.  The leaves were used by Native Americans and by aboriginal Europeans to make hallucinogenic teas which were used for religious practices and vision quests.  The plant can be fatal if ingested.  I've grown it safely in my yard because I don't have any small children and my animals are generally disinterested in my yard plants.

I hope this helps.
Tom