Solanum dulcamara
Bittersweet, Climbing nightshade, Poisonous nightshade
- Height × spread
- 3m × 1m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a poisonous vine with long, rather arrow-shaped green leaves that arch out from the upright plant. The stems are plum-coloured and silver-haired. It flowers in summer when it produces tiny purple or yellow blooms. The flowers are followed by clusters of small berry fruits that are green at first and mature to red. The fruits are slightly oblong and their shape is reminiscent of many tomatoes. It is said to be a component of potions made by witches. The whole plant is poisonous, the fruit especially so. This is sometimes called deadly nightshade, though this name really belongs to Atropa beladonna.
- Flower colour
- Purple, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 3m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Prairie garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- 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 · 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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