Phytolacca americana 'Variegata' (v)

RHS Plant Profile

American pokeweed 'Variegata'

RHS

Herbaceous Perennial

Buy this from Plant Nurseries
1 Suppliers

An upright, herbaceous perennial to around 150cm in height, with oval or lance-shaped variegated, marbled green leaves and purple stems. White flowers appear in racemes from mid-summer to early autumn, followed by crimson-black berries in autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Phytolaccaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Potentially harmful: TOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Harmful to pets if eaten (dogs) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Phytolacca are herbaceous perennials, shrubs or trees, with simple leaves, small flowers in erect or drooping spike-like racemes are followed by glossy, fleshy fruits
Name Status: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any fertile, moist soil in sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to virus diseases