Blue Potato Bush (Lycianthes rantonnetii)

Blue Potato Bush
Lycianthes rantonnetii

Oooh..a nice photo of a very very pretty bush. Thanks Clare!

WOW.

Very pretty. I have the purple potato bush. Don't know what the name of it is, but I love it. Want to get the blue one next spring.

Shirley, the flowers are actually purple, but it's just called "Blue Potato Bush." I'm not sure why. I don't think there is a blue one. Here is a flower of the tree on the left next to a Nicandra flower on the right.

Ignore my request. However, there is a blue one with yellow centers. I don't remember the name of it, but tiG has one I think. Liz, Kell, and I were just talking about it the other day. Maybe it is lavender. Gosh, I just don't remember anymore. Will find out though.

Okay, Shirley. I am happy to root you a cutting if you would like, but mine is purple. Let me know what you find out about a blue one.

Clare, I posted on one of your other threads that I do already have this one. Here is a link to a site with the other one I've seen. http://www.rareflora.com/solanumwed.htm

oooooooo! That's a very interesting Solanum. Mine is called Solanum rantonnetii, but that one is Solanum Wendlandii-Divorce Vine. Neat! Thanks for the link. I know that Solanum rantonnetii has a white-flowered variety too.

I think I'm going to order this one in the spring.

Good for you! I just ordered a double Rangoon vine from them. It was $25, but I really wanted this vine. It's supposed to be deliciously fragrant.

I better not look. I know I'd get myself in more trouble. I'll be waiting for any orders until spring. Just no room at the inn for another plant right now. Guess I better go to the kitchen now and see what is available for our meal tonight. Gosh, I wish I had a hired, live in, cook, housekeeper, whatever. LOL!

LOL! Don't we all! I told my husband, "I need a wife." Nice chatting with you:-)

Clare, how old is the bush on this pic? It seems to me more like a tree. Is it already woody ? You think it might survive in my zone?

Oops I've just read in the PDB that it is tender.

This message was edited Dec 10, 2003 6:21 PM

Hi Saya, thanks for your post and for the earlier compliment. Thanks to broots too. Saya, the bush is actually a tree with a very thick woody trunk. I don't know how long it's been growing there, but it could very well be around 30 years old. The couple that lived in this house before we moved in lived here for 30 years. You could try it in your zone. It blooms on new wood so there wouldn't be any problem with cutting it back severely every winter and bring it indoors. At some point in its maturity, you may be able to leave it outide. I think it has probably survived through a few freezes since it has been here so long.