Solanum crispum ‘Glasnevin’

*Solanum crispum* ‘Glasnevin’, often known as the Chilean Potato Tree or Vine, is a magnificent semi-evergreen climber that we absolutely adore for its generous and prolonged flowering. It’s a robust and fast-growing plant, quickly establishing itself to cover a sunny wall, fence, or pergola. We’ve seen it transform many a dull space with its abundant clusters of vibrant, star-shaped flowers. This particular cultivar is celebrated for being more floriferous and somewhat hardier than the species, and it proudly holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

To get the very best from ‘Glasnevin’, we recommend planting it in a sheltered, sunny spot – ideally against a south or west-facing wall – in moderately fertile, moist, and well-drained soil. It appreciates neutral to slightly alkaline conditions but is generally unfussy as long as the drainage is good. While it’s considered borderline hardy in the UK (H4), meaning it can withstand temperatures down to -5°C to -10°C, it may lose some or all of its leaves in colder winters. In milder areas, its dark green foliage often remains throughout the year, providing an attractive backdrop.

Pruning is best done in late spring, removing dead or weak growth and cutting back a third of the previous year’s flowering shoots to two or three buds from the main stems, as it flowers on new wood. This helps maintain its shape and encourages a fresh flush of blooms. Throughout summer, you can expect an almost continuous display of its beautiful violet-blue flowers, often followed by small, yellowish-white berries in autumn (which are poisonous, so best avoided). Its vigorous, scrambling habit makes it perfect for training up supports, and we love combining it with late-flowering clematis or climbing roses for a truly spectacular show.