Circaea lutetiana

RHS Plant Profile
enchanter's nightshade

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Circaea lutetiana?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
enchanter's nightshade RHS
enchanter's nightshade RHS
enchanter's nightshade RHS
enchanter's nightshade RHS
enchanter's nightshade RHS
enchanter's nightshade RHS

Other common names

bindweed nightshade, enchantress's nightshade, mandrake, llysiau steffan

Herbaceous Perennial
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
2 Suppliers

A perennial with erect stems to 70cm tall bearing oval leaves 4-10cm long. Spikes bearing tiny, 4-8mm, white flowers are borne above the foliage in summer

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or 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)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Onagraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows well in moist, rich soils in full or partial shade. Provides ground cover in woodland, spreading by means of vigorous rhizomes. See enchanter's nightshade for more information

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildlife gardens
  • Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free