Solanum laxum 'Album'
potato vine ( syn. Solanum jasminoides Album )
This climber is semi-evergreen, so it can lose some of its leaves in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose them all, but then fresh new foliage appears again in spring.
- Position: full sun
- Soil: fertile, moist but well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: June to September
- Hardiness: half hardy
Fragrant, star-shaped, bluish-white flowers with tiny, yellow centres from June to September and glossy, dark green leaves. This jasmine-scented climber is valuable for covering sheltered walls or for growing through other shrubs or climbers. The tiny purple-black autumn berries contrast well with the decorative seedheads of late-flowering clematis. In frost-prone areas grow under glass. - Garden care: In late winter or early spring prune side shoots to within 3 or 4 buds. Check climbers grown under glass regularly for red spider mite and aphids and treat using the relevant biological control - Phytoseiulus persimilis (spider mite) and Aphidoletes aphidimyza (aphids).
- Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten