Solanum crispum
Chilean potato tree, Climbing potato
- Height × spread
- 5m × 5m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a blue flowered climber with flowers that look uncannily like those of the potato. (They are related.) It is a vigorous plant that can cover a large area. It is best used <I>en masse</I> with its large sprays of blue, golden-eyed flowers. These grow on long stems that appear to hover in front of any vertical surface that they are attached to. It needs a warm wall as it isn't reliably hardy. Out of flower, the leaves are long, slender, dark green and with curved sides.
- Flower colour
- Blue, Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 5m
- Spread
- 5m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Mediterranean garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Wall cover
- Walls
- South, West facing
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Harmful if eaten
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Summer
Summer-Autumn · Planting
Prune after flowering
Generally reduce the plant in size by cutting back all the spreading branches and shoots, so there are only 3 or 4 buds on each stalk.
Found in
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