Blue Potatobush

Blue Potatobush Care

Lycianthes Rantonnetii

What is the plant

Native to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay, the blue potato bush is cultivated all over the world for its beautiful deep purple-blue flowers. If you’ve ever seen it bloom, you won’t forget it. The Royal Horticultural Society gave Lycianthes rantonnetii their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2012.Several cultivars have been produced with different colored foliage and blossoms. The cultivar Lycianthes rantonnetii 'White' has beautiful snow white flowers, while Lycianthes rantonnetii ‘Variegata’ has cream and grey-green leaves with blue flowers. All varieties are sweetly scented and attract butterflies. If not pruned, this species will also produce berries which will attract a variety of birds.

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Lighting

Full Sun

Hardiness zone

8b - 11

Difficulty

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Regular watering is important, particularly during the first growing season. During times of high heat water more frequently.
Pruning
Although this species requires little maintenance, it should be pruned regularly to maintain a pleasing shape. Lightly pruning after each batch of flowers will result in a compact shape and encourage greater blossoming.Primary pruning should take place in the winter months after blossoming has ceased. No more than one-third of the stem should be cut back. If managed well, this species can be pruned to a round shape with minimal loss of flowers.
Fertilizer
Apply a slow-release fertilizer in the spring just before new growth begins. If planted in a container, fertilize once a month with a liquid 10-10-10 fertilizer. Mulch roots with compost in the spring and again in the fall.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Full Sun
Soil
The soil should be well-drained but not allowed to completely dry out before the next watering.
Temperature
This species is suitable for planting in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11. In colder zones, it may drop its leaves in the winter, while in the warmer zones it remains evergreen.

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Additional
All parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested, including the seeds and berries. Pet owners should monitor their dogs, in particular, to ensure they do not eat the berries or other parts of this shrub.
Popularity
729 people already have this plant 134 people have added this plant to their wishlists