Lovely!
Solanum crispum is a species of flowering plant in the Solanaceae family, native to Chile and Peru. Common names include Chilean potato vine, Chilean nightshade, Chilean potato tree and potato vine. Growing to 20 ft tall, it is a semi-evergreen, woody-stemmed climbing plant. The small blue fragrant flowers, 1” in diameter, with prominent yellow ovaries, appear in clusters in summer. They resemble those of the closely related potato.
S. crispum is fast growing with a long flowering period, typically from midsummer till autumn. It grows well in neutral or slightly alkaline soils that are moist and well drained. Requiring some protection from frost, planting it against a south- or west-facing fence or wall in full sun is recommended. Zone 8+
Seeds available here
If you like the smell of death and decay in the garden, this one might be of interest to you. The little sister of the giant corpse flower.
The Voodoo lily is a member of the philodendron family
that grows from a tuber. Each tuber produces a single tripartite leaf
on a tall, mottled stem. Voodoo lily is a perennial generally grown as a
curiosity for its interesting foliage.
But be aware; When in bloom it produces an odor like a dead animal, the
smell intended to attract the carrion flies that are its natural
pollinators. If this is objectionable the flower can be cut off or
covered with a plastic bag to confine the smell. Pollinated flowers will
be followed by a round berry.
As a tender plant, the leaf is very frost sensitive (although buried
tubers are supposedly hardy to zone 6), and must be grown indoors as a
house plant (oh joy!) or as a seasonal outdoor plant. It is easy to plant the
tubers outdoors once the soil has warmed and dig them again in the fall
once the weather cools. Also known as konjak, konjaku, konnyaku potato,
devil's tongue, voodoo lily, snake palm, or elephant yam.
This variety is grown for food. The corm has dietary and medicinal uses and provides several vitamins, but must be used only after careful research.
Definitely worth growing for it's unique display and 'fragrant' experience, a true conversation plant.
Bulbs available here
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