Ipomoea batatas [Suntory Black Tone] ('Kyuikukan 1')

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sweet potato [Suntory Black Tone]

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Synonyms

Ipomoea 'Black Tone', Ipomoea batatas 'Kyuikukan 1'

Herbaceous Perennial Annual Biennial
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A compact, short-lived perennial often grown as an annual for its ornamental foliage. Trailing stems bear heart-shaped, dark olive green leaves that are strongly flushed with dark purple, appearing almost black

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
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
Convolvulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Trailing
Genus
Ipomoea can be annuals or perennials, often twining, or evergreen shrubs, with simple, lobed or dissected leaves and tubular or funnel-shaped flowers which may be solitary or borne in racemes or panicles
Name Status
Trade

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thrives in well-drained, sandy loam in full sun, minimum temperature 7-10°C

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer. As this plant is protected by Plant Breeders' Rights, any propagation should be for personal rather than commercial use

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Hanging Basket
  • Patio and container plants
  • Bedding

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshoouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

May be susceptible to Fusarium wilt, Powdery mildews and virus diseases