It's a gray day here in coastal Southern California. On such days, spots of bright color are especially appreciated and, on rounds of the garden with my sister-in-law, here for a brief visit, I found my eye drawn to Solanum xanti 'Mountain Pride.' I picked up 2 containers of this native California selection in October and popped them into a bed we carved out of lawn in the backyard this fall. The low-growing sub-shrubs settled into the space without difficulty and have begun to spread out.
My plants are currently just over one foot tall and close to 2 feet wide. If the predictions of the grower are correct, they should reach about 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide at maturity.
A member of the nightshade family, all parts of the plant are reportedly poisonous. The flowers have a pleasing but light fragrance and the plant is attractive to pollinators. I tried - and failed - to catch a photo of a busy bumble bee flitting among the flowers this morning.
The leaves and stems are fuzzy as shown in this poorly-focused photo:
![]()
The plant has low water needs but will tolerate some irrigation, which makes it a good choice for mixing within my borders. It's said to be tolerant of most soils as long as the area in which it's planted is well-drained. It's also reported to be hardy to 15-20F (-7C to -9C).
It grows in sun or shade, it's drought tolerant, and it's loaded with fragrant purple blooms so there's a lot to love about it. It's semi-deciduous so it may look a bit shabby by late summer but hopefully a good pruning will keep it in shape. Solanum xanti 'Mountain Pride' is my favorite plant of the week and my contribution to Loree's favorite plants monthly wrap-up at danger garden.
All material © 2012-2015 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
 |
| The 2 Solanum shrubs are surrounded by Leucadendron 'Pisa,' Salvia 'Amistad,' and Furcraea foetida, among other plants |
My plants are currently just over one foot tall and close to 2 feet wide. If the predictions of the grower are correct, they should reach about 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide at maturity.
 |
| The plant's sprawling growth pattern is evident in this photo |
A member of the nightshade family, all parts of the plant are reportedly poisonous. The flowers have a pleasing but light fragrance and the plant is attractive to pollinators. I tried - and failed - to catch a photo of a busy bumble bee flitting among the flowers this morning.
 |
| Close-up of flowers, which tend to face downward |
The leaves and stems are fuzzy as shown in this poorly-focused photo:
The plant has low water needs but will tolerate some irrigation, which makes it a good choice for mixing within my borders. It's said to be tolerant of most soils as long as the area in which it's planted is well-drained. It's also reported to be hardy to 15-20F (-7C to -9C).
It grows in sun or shade, it's drought tolerant, and it's loaded with fragrant purple blooms so there's a lot to love about it. It's semi-deciduous so it may look a bit shabby by late summer but hopefully a good pruning will keep it in shape. Solanum xanti 'Mountain Pride' is my favorite plant of the week and my contribution to Loree's favorite plants monthly wrap-up at danger garden.
All material © 2012-2015 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party