The fragrant flowers of Blue Potato Bush (Lycianthes rantonnetii, also known as Solanum rantonnetii, and Paraguay nightshade), provide a focal point to a tropical or cottage garden. Surrounded by other sun-loving tropical and subtropical perennials, annuals and bulbs, the large shrub blooms year-round in frost-free gardens. Native to Argentina and Paraguay, the blue potato bush is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 to 11, which is fine for Sunnyvale.
Warning: All parts of plant and seed are poisonous if ingested.
Details
Family: Solanaceae (so-lan-AY-see-ee) (Info)
Genus: Lycianthes (lish-ee-AN-theez) (Info)
Species: rantonnei
Synonym:Solanum coniculatum
Synonym:Solanum muticum
Synonym:Solanum rantonetii
Synonym:Solanum rantonnei
Synonym:Lycianthes rantonetii
Category:
Shrubs
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Height:
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing:
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Danger:
Seed is poisonous if ingested
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color:
Blue-Violet
Purple
Bloom Time:
Blooms repeatedly
Foliage:
Evergreen
Other details:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information:
Unknown – Tell us
Propagation Methods:
From semi-hardwood cuttings
Seed Collecting:
Unknown – Tell us
Read more: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/31441/#ixzz3GnZJ78XQ
