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Products > Solanum umbelliferum 'Midhill'
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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Solanaceae (Potatoes, tomatoes, peppers) |
| Origin: California (U.S.A.) |
| California Native (Plant List): Yes |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Blue |
| Bloomtime: Year-round |
| Height: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F |
| May be Poisonous (More Info): Yes |
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Solanum umbelliferum 'Midhill' (Bluewitch) - A small subshrub/perennial to 18 to 36 inches tall by as wide with half inch long elliptically shaped gray-green leaves. The 1 inch wide bright blue flowers bloom much of the year, with the best showing from midwinter to early summer. The flowers, with an attractive lime green spot at the base of each petal and yellow stamens, are followed by dark berries. Plant in full sun to light shade and irrigate infrequently to not at all - can flower longer and remain with nice foliage with occasional summer irrigation but otherwise will survive in the unirrigated garden by going summer dormant. It is cold hardy to around 15°F and tolerates alkaline and clay soils. A very attractive, tough, hardy plant that survives well on neglect with bright blue flowers that stand out attractively against its gray foliage. A nice plant for a dry rock garden, perennial bed or as a container specimen with flowers that attract insects and fruit that attracts birds but is not browsed by deer. As with most plants in the Nightshade family, all parts of this plant are toxic to people and some animals. Bluewitch is native to Chaparral and Juniper-Oak Woodland plant communities from northern California to Baja California and east into Arizona, where it can be found growing on dry rocky slopes and canyons from sea level to above 5,000 feet. The name for the genus comes from the Latin name used by Pliny for a nightshade and the specific epithet is in reference its umbel-like inflorescences. It is also commonly called Blue Witch Nightshade, a name also used for Solanum sisymbriifolium, a species naturalized in North America after being brought here by English emigrants in the 1700s. This common name is thought to have originated with the belief that a nightshade planted near the front door entrance would counteract the effects of witchcraft. Our plant is a selection made by Kathy Echols of Midhill Farms in Martinez, California.
This information about Solanum umbelliferum 'Midhill' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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