Solanum rantonnetii Charles Pink Star

Solanum rantonetti Charles Pink Star is a variety of Solanum rantonetti that stands out for its two-tone pink flowering, an unusual colour for this plant. It is a bushy shrub that blooms continuously from spring until the first frost. Its beautiful flowers resemble those of a petunia, with a pale pink, slightly mauve colour striped with a deeper pink and a bright yellow centre. It is a generous plant that is easy to grow, except for its low cold resistance. Outside of the mildest winter regions, it can be grown in a large pot. It will flower on the terrace throughout the summer and can be brought indoors during the winter to protect it from the cold.

Solanum 'Charles Pink Star' is a Dutch horticultural selection by Charles Hendriks. The original species with mauve-blue flowers, recently renamed Lycianthes rantonnetii and nicknamed the tree gentian, is native to South America. It is a plant adapted to hot climates with mild winters. Like the original species, the variety 'Charles Pink Star' is a frost-sensitive shrub with a bushy and upright habit, with flexible branches. When mature, it forms a bush 1.50m to 2m tall and 1m to 1.50m wide. Flowering begins in May-June, depending on the climate, and continues until October, as long as there is no frost. The approximately 3-4cm in diameter flowers, are rounded with flared trumpet-shaped throats and have 5 petals in two shades of pink opening onto a bright yellow throat and stamens. The foliage of this shrub is more common, consisting of oval, medium-green leaves with wavy edges. It persists in winter if there is no frost, but will be deciduous otherwise. The crown of a well-established plant can withstand short frosts of around -5 to -6 °C. This fast-growing Tree Gentian likes warm and sunny exposures, as well as rich, moist, but well-drained soils.

Solanum rantonetti 'Charles Pink Star' is, like Lantanas, Cape Plumbago, and other Polygala, a suitable plant for coastal or very sheltered gardens. It is an excellent terrace or balcony plant that can be easily paired with white or pink Dipladenias, especially the climbing varieties 'Bella White' and 'Bella Pink Star'.