Blue Potato Vine
Blue potato vine via Wikimedia, photo by Ramin Nakisa, CC BY-SA 3.0
COMMON NAME: Blue potato vine
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Solanum crispum glasnevin
TYPE: Evergreen Sun to part shade
HEIGHT: 12’+ Spread 8’+ Spacing 4 – 6’
HABIT: Often described as a “wall shrub,” gets round & bushy, so It’s best to prune it closer to the trellis every spring, taking care not to harm saved bits since these may be brittle. It grows rapidly & blooms profusely after such a trim.2” glossy dark green lance-shaped leaves, showy clusters of 1” blue, star-shaped flowers spring to fall followed by clusters of nail-polish red or yellow-orange berries late summer and fall.
CULTURE: Full sun/light shade, moist, well drained, dormant in winter. Has to be annually trimmed back to the wall to retain a semblance of vining appearance. Pruning increases vigorous new growth & flower show.
USES: Colorful interesting vine
PROBLEMS: Few except the trimming needs.