Lycianthes rantonnetii
Blue potato bush, Paraguay night-shade
Also known as Solanum rantonnetii
- Height × spread
- 1.8m – 1.8m × 1.5m – 2m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a tender shrub that is valued for its rounded, simple blue flowers that bear a visual resemblance to those of Convolvulus. The flowers come in shades of blue from light to dark and there is one cultivar 'Royal Robe' that has dark violet-blue blooms. A form with variegated foliage is also available. This has a somewhat lax growth habit and may need some support.
- Flower colour
- Blue, Purple
- Foliage colour
- Grey, White
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 1.8m – 1.8m
- Spread
- 1.5m – 2m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.
Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.
Summer-Autumn · Planting
Support young plants
Provide support for young plants, and tie in any growth to the support to keep it tidy.
Planting & general
Planting
Prune some varieties
Some plant varieties within this species have additional requirements for pruning. It is best to look up your specific plant for pruning guidance.
Compost · Planting
Loam based compost + grit for repotting
Use a free draining loam based compost rather than one which has been modified to be 'moisture retentive'.
Alternatively prepare a compost using three parts of loam (John Innes no. 2 or 3) to one part of (horticultural) sand or fine (horticultural) grit.