Nightshade Archives

Goji berry, a very interesting fruit tree

The goji berry shrub is trending ever since its health benefits and antioxidant properties have been acknowledged.

Brunfelsia – “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” – Growing and Care

Brunfelsia, also called “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow”, is a nice blooming shrub.

Solanum, Potato vine, a jasmine look-alike

Potato vine (Solanum), also called jasmine nightshade for the resemblance they share, is a marvelous climbing vine.

Physalis, growing winter groundcherry

Physalis or Peruvian groundcherry is a plant that offers cute, tasty fruits.

Tamarillo, the tomato tree

The tamarillo is a fruit shrub native to the tropics which bears surprising fruits with firm flesh and a tangy, pungent taste.

Potato, how to grow and harvest potatoes

From planting to harvest, here are the practices that will help you grow beautiful potatoes.

Ornamental tobacco, beautiful flowers for a garden bed

Truly unexpected as a garden plant, ornamental tobacco used to be illegal. Ornamental tobacco, key facts Name – Nicotiana Family – Solanaceae (nightshade) Type – perennial Height: 20 to 60 inches (50 to 150 cm) Exposure: full sun, part sun, shade Soil: ordinary – Flowering: summer to early fall Today, most governments recognize that this […]

Calibrachoa, a cascade of colors

Calibrachoa is a very beautiful flower that bears hundreds of small bell-shaped flowers

Vitelotte, or black vitelotte, the China truffle

The purple Vitelotte noire, or black vitelotte, is reputed for its striking violet flesh.

A sliced vitelotte black potato on a fresh harvest shows its purple insides.

Chalice vine, solandra, a vine with stunning cup flowers

Chalice vine, also called Solandra, is marvelous thanks to its magnificent blooming.

Cestrum, a shrub with fragrant hanging flowers

Cestrum blooms in waves from spring to fall.

Bell peppers and chili, fabulous to grow

Bell pepper is an excellent easy to grow summer vegetable. Did you know that it’s the same plant as chili? They’re just different varieties!

Surfinia, the hanging petunia with abundant blooming

Surfinia is a special variety of hanging petunia. It bears hundreds of small bell-shaped flowers. It is often used as a cascading flower to hang from balconies and decorate deck fences.

Companion planting in the vegetable patch

Just like humans, vegetables also have friends and foes. Some families stimulate or protect each other. Other families tire each other out and make each other vulnerable. Companion planting is the art of pairing them well!

Cherry tomato, savoring the summer!

Cherry tomato is easy to grow and the harvest is often abundant.

Datura tips and guidance for the best possible care

Datura, also called “devil’s trumpet” for its magnificent inflorescence, is a very interesting and ornamental shrub.

Datura flower, double or triple, with white and purple petals

Brugmansia, gigantic flowers!

Brugmansia, also called “Angel’s Trumpets” for the magnificent flowers shaped like trumpets, is a very interesting and ornamental shrub.

Dangling brugmansia flower opening up to reveal peach-colored blooms.

Datura or Brugmansia, Trumpets of discord

Brugmansia and Datura look alike, but they are actually different plants.

White-yellow flower unfurling, still unclear whether it is a datura or a brugmansia flower.

Black goji berry, a power-packed goji berry species

Black goji is a a different species than the more famous red goji berry, but it shares similar growing habits and its berries give the same

Physalis, winter groundcherry, a plant with many therapeutic properties

A plant full of health benefits native to Peru, Bolivia and Columbia, Physalis grows near houses and buildings

Tomatillo, the Mexican Physalis

A rarer form of Physalis, tomatillo is a late summer vegetable that is easy to grow since the plant resists disease well. Tomatillo fruits are usually cooked and help soften the spice in many Central American recipes. Top tomatillo facts