Solanum umbelliferum - Blue Witch Nightshade
Solanum umbelliferum is a medium sized shrub with purple flowers and grey-green hairy leaves. The Blue Witch Nightshade grows 2-3 feet tall and wide. Solanum umbelliferum blooms with clusters of purple flowers from late Fall into early Summer. The Blue Witch Nightshade spreads slowly by stolons underground. Solanum umbelliferum is native to foothill regions of California. If you look closely enough the hairs on the branchs often split and the hairy parts extend all the way to the flowers. Full sun or shade don't matter but decent drainage and low water are all important. Solanum umbelliferum is hardy down to winter temperatures approaching 15°F.
Purple flowers and gray foliage of Solanum umbelliferum - Blue Witch Nightshade, Sonoran Nightshade, Mariola. High resolution photos are part of our garden image collection.
Plants in the Solanum genus featured on this site:
Solanum hindsianum * Hind's Nightshade, Sonoran Nightshade, Mariola
Solanum jasminoides * Potato Vine
Solanum umbelliferum * Blue Witch Nightshade
Solanum wendlandii * Giant Potato Creeper, Divorce Vine
Solanum xanti Mountain Pride * Mountain Pride Purple Nightshade