In 2012, theLycianthes rantonnetiiwas awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s prestigious Award of Garden Merit.
This fast-growing plant is described as deciduous in cooler zones, with blossoms produced from March through October.
Although this species requires little maintenance, it should be pruned regularly to retain a pleasing shape.
Soil
Loamy soil should be well-drained but not allowed to completely dry out before the next watering.
Water
Regular watering is important, particularly during the first growing season.
Water more frequently during times of high heat.
Temperature and Humidity
This non-invasive but fast-growing species is suitable for planting inUSDA hardiness zones8 through 11.
This species fares well in sunny, frost-free, coastal regions but should be protected from strong winds.
Fertilizer
Apply a slow-release fertilizer in the spring just before new growth begins.
Blue Potato Bush Types
Several cultivars have been produced with different colored foliage and blossoms.
All varieties are sweetly scented andattract butterflies.
Pruning
This plant can become unruly in its appearance if not pruned.
The smooth gray-brown branches grow archly, sprawling to over 6 feet if not pruned.
Primary pruning should take place in the winter months after blossoming has ceased.
No more than a third of each stem should be cut back.
If managed well, this species can be pruned to a round shape with minimal loss of flowers.
Choose a large pot to contain the plant’s height and width.
Line the bottom of the pot with gravel.
Keep soil moist and well-drained, and keep in a sunny spot outdoors.
Overwintering
If blue potato bushes are potted, bring them indoors when the threat of frost arrives.
Otherwise, in a dark or cooler location, it will drop its leaves and go fully dormant.
Either way, keep giving the plant water so the soil never completely dries out.
Stop giving fertilizer during the overwintering period and resume in March.
Thrips can be managed using horticultural oils,neem oil, or spinosad.
In cooler zones, blue potato bush blooms from March to October.
What Do Blue Potato Bush Flowers Look and Smell Like?
The blue potato vine prolifically produces blue or white, star-shaped flowers with a conspicuous yellow center.
It has a light, sweet scent.
In cooler zones, stop giving fertilizer as the plant goes dormant in the fall.
For a year-long flowering zone, continue to fertilize all year.
Give more water once the top inch of soil dries out.
Poor Flower Production
Good flower production requires water, sun, and nutrients.
Blooms can be reduced if any of those factors are less than ideal.
Adjust so the plant is regularly watered and fed and has sufficient sun and warmth.
Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy.
Potato bush plants are evergreen orperennial plantsin zone 8 or warmer, retaining their leaves and flowering year-round.
However, the plants become deciduous in cooler zones, shedding their leaves and flowers and going dormant.
In its ideal growing zones, potato bush plants can live up to 20 years.
The blue potato bush is well-suited to many garden types and makes an excellent backdrop forsmall shrubsand perennials.
It also works well as ahedge or screening plant.
This species can also be grown in containers, making a striking display on a patio.
The Blue Potato Bush.
Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California.
