Rob Roy Posted July 20, 2006 Share Posted July 20, 2006 I bought this young shrub, but can't remember the name of it! I think it needs repotting or planting out now and would like look up some information about it. Can anyone help, please?[IMG]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i312/Bouillaguet/DSCF0960.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassis Posted July 20, 2006 Share Posted July 20, 2006 It's a Blue potato bush, solanum rantonetii. Looks a bit like the more commonly seen solanum crispum, potato vine, but it doesn't climb - more a floppy bush. It is not frost hardy - min. temp. 7°C. Flowers late summer (UK) followed by red fruit. Doesn't need pruning but you can give it a light trim in spring to tidy it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saddie Posted July 20, 2006 Share Posted July 20, 2006 I have grown them in open ground in the UK and they can get about 1.5m in each direction but one I had in a pot over here didn't make the winter in spite of being wrapped up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassis Posted July 20, 2006 Share Posted July 20, 2006 It is not frost hardy - min. temp. 7°C. We had one in Bromley as we rarely had frost there and it was on the terrace close to the house for protection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Roy Posted July 20, 2006 Author Share Posted July 20, 2006 Thanks for your replies. I didn't realise it wasn't frost hardy so good job you told me Phil! Another one to join the lemon trees and potted hostas in the barn for the winter! I don't suppose it would survive with fleece round it? Mind you we can get -10 to -15 here, so probably not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassis Posted July 20, 2006 Share Posted July 20, 2006 Well, you could risk it - depends how attached you are to it and how much space you have. You could take a backup cutting and keep it in the barn (frost free?). How do they do for light?Are the hostas put in to protect their pots from damage, or just to get them out the way when dormant? The plants themselves are frost hardy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patf Posted July 20, 2006 Share Posted July 20, 2006 It looks suspiciously like deadly nightshade, or anyway the same family. Be careful children and animals don't eat the berries. Pat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassis Posted July 20, 2006 Share Posted July 20, 2006 It is the same family, not the same plant. Aubergines and potatoes are the same family, too. All parts of this plant may cause discomfort if eaten, but are unlikely to kill. Don't be tempted to try the fruits! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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