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Solanum aviculare

New Zealand nightshade

Solanaceae

Southeastern Australia and New Zealand

Attracts Pollinators

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Solanum aviculare is a fast-growing, soft-wooded shrub reaching 6-13 feet (2-4 m) tall and 5-10 feet (1.5-3 m) wide, often short-lived and sprawling with age. The leaves are dark green and variable: some are deeply lobed into narrow segments 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) long, while others are narrow and undivided, with both forms often on the same plant. Star-shaped flowers 1-1.6 inches (2.5-4 cm) across, blue-violet with a yellow central cone of anthers, appear in loose clusters for much of the year in mild climates. Egg-shaped berries 0.6-1 inch (1.5-2.5 cm) long ripen from green through yellow to orange-red. Growth is rapid, with seedlings flowering within a year, but plants are short-lived, declining after three to five years. The green unripe berries and the foliage contain solasodine and related alkaloids and are toxic if eaten; only fully ripened, soft fruit is non-toxic. Stems are brittle and break in strong wind.

Native Range

Native to southeastern Australia and New Zealand, including New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. Grows on forest margins, in clearings, and on disturbed ground such as landslips and burnt sites, appearing quickly after disturbance in moist, fertile soils.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a fast-growing filler and screen in new and revegetating gardens, spaced 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m) apart, and used in bush regeneration as a quick-establishing nurse plant. Suits temporary screening while slower shrubs mature. Because all green parts and unripe fruit are toxic, it is kept away from areas used by young children and grazing animals.

How to Identify

Recognised by soft-wooded stems bearing both deeply lobed and undivided dark green leaves, and blue-violet star flowers with a yellow central anther cone. The egg-shaped berries ripening from green to orange-red separate it from Solanum laciniatum, which has larger flowers and orange fruit. Mature plants reach 6-13 feet (2-4 m) within two to three years.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 13'

Width/Spread5' - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~24 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

Flowers for much of the year in frost-free climates, with the heaviest flush in spring and summer. In cooler areas flowering runs from spring into autumn. Berries follow over several months and are often present alongside flowers.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-9 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade in moist, free-draining, fertile soil and establishes quickly from seed or cuttings. Water through the first season to support fast growth; established plants tolerate short dry spells but wilt in prolonged drought. The soft stems are brittle and snap in exposed, windy sites. Frost-tender, with foliage damaged below about 28°F (-2°C), though plants often resprout from the base in spring. Short-lived, the shrub is usually replaced every three to five years as it becomes woody and sparse. All green parts and unripe berries are toxic to people and pets if eaten.

Pruning

Young plants are tip-pruned to build a bushier framework, and leggy stems are cut back in spring to renew growth. Frost-damaged or broken wood is removed as it appears. Hard pruning of old plants produces fresh shoots from the base but does not greatly extend their short life.

Pruning Schedule

early spring