Solanum jasminoides
Call it the Potato Vine or Creeper, or give it its proper name of Solanum jasminoides, nurseries offer both blue and white flowering varieties of this easy to grow vine.
It is one of the most widely grown climbers that most gardeners will know, and it belongs to the Solanum family. So it is related to the Potato and not the same as the Jasmine plant, although the flowers do look similar..
Solanum varieties including Solanum ‘Royal Robe’, and Solanum laciniatum are all available. However it is Solanum jasminoides the humble ‘Potato Vine’ that is widely grown.
How To Grow the Potato Vine
The Potato Vine grow best in a warm sunny position where it is protected from the cold. More of a scrambler than a climber the ‘Potato Vine’ will need a little support until it becomes established.
- Best grown in full sun where the foliage will be denser and more vibrant as well as flowering being more prolific. A little light shade in the afternoon is OK in hotter climate zones.
- Soil should be humus rich and well drained.
- Plant and water in well with a liquid seaweed fertilser.
- Mulch around the plant to maintain a cool root run.
- Water regularly over the first 3 months during dry periods.
- Use a slow release organic type fertiliser each spring.
Growth rate is moderate to fast depending on conditions.
Pruning The Potato Vine
The best time to prune back is in winter, to early spring. Longer canes or stems can be pruned back to required height.
Any weak or spindly stems should b removed.
Landscaping Uses
This is a hardy fast growing climbing plant that grows well in full sun to part shade as long as it has a cool root run.
Use it cover walls, Fences or the sides os sheds or even let it scramble through taller shrubs.
It makes a good addition to cottage gardens as a background plant.
Evergreen to semi evergreen depending on the climate, it is long flowering and in warmer climates will flower from spring through to early winter.
Landscapers should note that once established this plant requires little water as long as the root system is in shade. Excellent for planting near fences, buildings or over a trellis, in fact any area that needs covering.
Varieties include:
- Solanum jasminoides album which is the white flowering variety
- Monet’s blue, with pale pastel blue and white flowers over a long period.