Maureen Gilmer
Family
Convolvulaceae
Botanical Name
IPOMOEA batatas( ILLUSION™ SERIES)
Plant Common Name
Illusion™ Sweet Potato Vine, Sweet Potato Vine
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
The mounding but compact sweetpotato vines in the Illusion™ Series having deeply dissected and lobed foliage that work perfectly for containers, annual borders and hanging baskets. They withstand partial sun and look great alongside most other flowering ornamentals or as an accent in a tropical vegetable garden.
These tender perennials are borne from edible fleshy tuberous roots. They are vigorous, herbaceous, stubby vines that originate from Central and northern South America. Members of this series have deeply cut or sharply lobed leaves that have a finer texture that other sweet potato vine selections. At present, two leaf colors are available: chartreuse or purple. Occasionally plants produce funnel-shaped flowers of lavender-white to dusty purple.
Other perks of the Illusion™ Series are that these plants thrive in heat, are as easy-as-pie to grow and do not sprawl so heavily as to crowd-out nearby plants. They thrive in fertile, moist, well-drained soil and full to partial sun. In warmer zones they will survive winters and grow as evergreen perennial, but in temperate zones they are treated as annuals in containers or as seasonal groundcovers. In shadier locations or when temperatures cool, avoid wetting the foliage as to keep the plant looking its best.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
10 - 13
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 13, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
8"-12" / 20.3cm - 30.5cm
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Width
3'-5' / 0.9m - 1.5m
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Bloom Time
Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall
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Native To
Central America, South America
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Very Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Prostrate/Trailing
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Lavender
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Purple, Chartreuse
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Purple, Chartreuse
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Purple, Chartreuse
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Purple, Chartreuse
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Bedding Plant, Container, Edible, Groundcover, Hanging Basket, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Self-Sowing
No
