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South Yorkshire, United Kingdom Gb

I have a potatoe vine which is about 3 foot high and placed in front of a 4 foot wall. When trying to plant some smaller bushes in front of it I came across some really large roots. When digging further one of them was about 2/3 foot long. Can anyone tell me how high this vine grows, and will other plants survive in front of it without being strangled. I had some roses to one side of it, but they practically died and I am wondering if this was the reason. Lots of questions, hope someone can help. Many thanks




Answers

 

Potato vines can grow tall and very quickly. I've had to look after one in a garden and it never flowers as its always having to be pruned back.
I would move it to somewhere where it wont grow over the window. Keep it regularly pruned to keep it in check.
I would guess they reach 8 foot, but i know they get big

14 Sep, 2010

 

Is this Solanum laxum 'Album' - white flowers? If so, it is a vigorous grower - IF it survives the winter. They're not very hardy, and need a warm sheltered spot. I prune mine back by about a half to two-thirds every spring. If it takes off, it grows over the 6' trellis and into the field behind us - so that would be about 12', I suppose. A 4' wall isn't nearly big enough for it, and yes, the roots do tend to spread out.

14 Sep, 2010

 

Thank you for your answers. This is a small purple flower with a yellow centre. Would this one grow as tall, and can anything be planted near it.

15 Sep, 2010

 

Ah! That's S. crispum 'Glasnevin'. It's hardier than the white one, although it still needs a sheltered spot. It isn't a vine, it needs support, i.e. tying in to wires against a wall or trellis. It isn't nearly as vigorous as its 'brother', either, and you can prune it to keep it in its allotted space - but 4' is far too low. It would still grow above your wall. Mine is about 10 ' tall, trained against the back of a building facing west. I do prune it back to new shoots, but not hard-pruning like the S. laxum. Under it I have planted low-growing Euphorbias, and the roots don't bother them at all.

It sounds as if you need to find a more suitable position for it, if you can, or add a trellis to the wall, possibly?

15 Sep, 2010

 

Thank you once again.

15 Sep, 2010

 

Thank you once again.

15 Sep, 2010

 

You're welcome. :-)

15 Sep, 2010

How do I say thanks?

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