Solanum tuberosum 'Blue Danube'
potato 'Blue Danube'
A bushy perennial grown as an annual vegetable for its edible tubers. A fast-growing, early maincrop potato ready to lift in the autumn, with purple-black stems, dark, glossy green foliage and pretty purple flowers. The blue-skinned, white-fleshed, well-shaped tubers are perfect for roasting (some say 'the best roast potato ever'). Shows good resistance to blight and potato viruses
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple Black | Purple | Green | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple Black | Purple | Green | |
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten, except potato crop. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten, except potato crop - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Solanum can be annuals, perennials, evergreen or deciduous shrubs or twining climbers, with simple or pinnnately lobed leaves and star- or bowl-shaped, 5-lobed flowers with prominent stamens, followed by fleshy fruits
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moisture-retentive soil for high quality and heavy yields. Improve soil by adding organic matter in autumn. Draw earth up around the stems as they emerge, to exclude light and prevent the potatoes from becoming green. Water well in dry periods. Potatoes can also be grown in large containers or potato gro-bags. See potato cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Grow from certified seed potatoes
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to cutworms, slugs, wireworms, leaf and bud eelworm, Potato cyst nematodes
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), Potato scab and Potato blight and may be susceptible to Potato rot, Potato blackleg and stem canker
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.