Solanum Glasnevin

Description

Solanum ‘Glasnevin’ – Chilean potato vine

Botanical name: Solanum crispum ‘Glasnevin’
Common names: Chilean potato vine, potato climber
Family: Solanaceae (nightshade family)
Plant type: Semi-evergreen climber
Habit: Vigorous, scrambling
Pot size: As supplied
Eventual size: Approx. 4–6m tall × 3m spread
Foliage: Oval green leaves; semi-evergreen
Flowers: Clusters of rich purple, yellow-centred flowers, summer into autumn (June–October)
Scent: Lightly scented
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Fertile, well-drained; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H4 (hardy, to about −10°C); USDA zones 8–10
Exposure: Warm, sheltered, sunny
Native range: Chile
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Toxic if eaten — a member of the nightshade family, all parts including the berries can cause harm to people and pets

Solanum ‘Glasnevin’ is a vigorous scrambling climber bearing clusters of rich purple, yellow-centred flowers from summer into autumn. Long-flowering and easy, it is ideal trained against a warm, sunny wall or fence.

GardenAdvice notes

A vigorous, scrambling semi-evergreen climber from Chile, this Solanum is one of the longest-flowering wall climbers, carrying its rich purple, potato-like flowers with bright yellow centres from summer well into autumn. It is not self-clinging, so needs tying to a support, and appreciates the warmth and shelter of a sunny wall.

Growing & planting

Plant in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun against a warm, sheltered wall or fence. As it does not cling, provide wires or trellis and tie in the scrambling stems as they grow. It flowers most freely with plenty of sun and warmth. In colder gardens, a very sheltered position is important.

Care & maintenance

Water well while establishing and in dry spells. Prune in spring, shortening the previous year’s growth and cutting out any frost-damaged or overcrowded stems to keep a tidy framework. Tie in new growth through the season. Feed and mulch in spring.

Propagation

• Cuttings: Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. Aphids can cluster on soft new growth, and in cold gardens it may suffer frost damage, recovering in spring. A warm, sheltered position keeps it healthiest.

Uses in the garden

Superb trained against a warm, sunny wall or fence, or over a sturdy trellis or pergola, where its long season of purple flowers can be enjoyed.

Wildlife value

The nectar-rich flowers attract bees and other pollinating insects over a long season.

Toxicity & safety

Chilean potato vine is toxic if eaten — as a member of the nightshade family, all parts including the berries can harm people and pets. Site it away from where children or pets might eat the berries, and wear gloves if your skin is sensitive when pruning.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Glasnevin’ is one of the hardiest and longest-flowering of the potato vines, often in bloom from June right through to the first frosts on a warm wall. Remember it doesn’t cling, so tie it in regularly to its wires or trellis, and give it a spring prune to keep it flowering freely rather than becoming a top-heavy tangle.

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