Yesterday Today, Tomorrow

Yesterday Today, Tomorrow (Brunfelsia pauciflora) is a tropical evergreen shrub known for its colorful blooms and glossy green leaves. It typically grows 3–6 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide, depending on pruning and growing conditions. Flowers of different ages appear on the plant at the same time, creating a mixture of purple, lavender, and white throughout the blooming period. In Southwest Florida, it is commonly grown in sheltered garden beds, informal hedges, and outdoor containers.

Partial shade to morning sunlight provides favorable growing conditions. Protection from intense afternoon sun helps prevent leaf damage during Florida's hottest months. This shrub prefers fertile, slightly acidic, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Alkaline conditions may cause yellowing leaves due to limited nutrient availability.

For landscape borders and grouped plantings, space Yesterday Today, Tomorrow approximately 3–5 feet apart. Its branching growth makes it suitable along foundations, near sheltered patios, or behind smaller flowering plants. Allow enough room for mature branches to develop without crowding nearby shrubs.

Regular watering helps newly planted shrubs establish healthy roots. Mature plants prefer consistent soil moisture, particularly during active growth and flowering. Water when the upper layer begins to dry, and avoid prolonged standing water around the roots.

Flowers typically open deep purple before fading to lavender and eventually white over several days. This natural color change gives the plant its common name. Blooming is often strongest during spring, with additional flowering possible during warm weather. Many selections produce a noticeable sweet fragrance.

Growth is moderate under suitable conditions. Light pruning after the main flowering period helps maintain the desired shape and encourages branching. Apply a balanced fertilizer formulated for acid-loving flowering shrubs during active growth when needed. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which may encourage foliage at the expense of flowers.

Yesterday Today, Tomorrow is sensitive to frost and strong cold winds. Sheltered planting locations are recommended in areas exposed to occasional winter temperatures. All parts of the plant, particularly the berries and seeds, are toxic if ingested.

Why You'll Love It

Color-Changing Flowers: Individual blooms transition from purple to lavender and white, displaying several colors on the same shrub.

Sweet Floral Fragrance: Flowers release a pleasant scent that can be enjoyed near patios and sheltered garden areas.

Spring Flowering Display: Produces numerous blooms during spring, with occasional additional flowers during favorable warm weather.

Glossy Evergreen Foliage: Dark green leaves provide landscape coverage between flowering periods.

Naturally Branching Growth: Develops a rounded shrub shape suitable for informal flowering hedges and garden borders.

Sun Requirements: Prefers partial shade or morning sunlight with protection from intense afternoon heat.

Water Needs: Maintain moderate, consistent moisture during active growth. Allow the upper soil to begin drying between waterings.

Mature Size: Approximately 3–6 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide, depending on pruning and growing conditions.

Best Uses: Fragrance gardens, flowering hedges, foundation beds, protected tropical landscapes, courtyard gardens, and large outdoor containers.