Description

Purple nightshade is most commonly found south of the transverse ranges in California, but it grows in scattered populations elsewhere in the state and beyond. The ‘Mountain Pride’ selection was taken in the hills around Santa Barbara by Carol Bornstein after the 2008 Tea Fire. Like its fellow native nightshades, it has many attractive qualities and is quite hardy. In an open area it grows as a patch of upright stems with silvery-green leaves. The patch will expand in time via rhizomes, especially when occasional summer water is provided. When grown among other plants, purple nightshade will work its way through, over and around its neighbors somewhat like a vine. The deep purple flowers that appear in spring motivated the acquisition of the ‘Mountain Pride’ selection. The marble-sized purple fruit contrast nicely against the foliage. This plant adapts to a variety of soil types and seems to appreciate some shade.