Dioscorea batatus ‘Variegata’

A variegated cultivar. Stems twine round the supports growing up to 2-3,5 m, and die down to the ground level in autumn. Underground, large, elongated tubers are called sweet potatoes in its country of origin. In autumn small, brown, tasty, nut-flavoured, edible bulbils appear in the leaf axils. Small, white, cinnamon scented flowers appear from June to August. Heart-shaped, glossy, green leaves with 7-9 veins are covered to a bigger or smaller extent with white spots. Young shoots, as well as the leaf petioles and the veining of young leaves are purple. The lower parts of older stems are often bare. It’s not fully frost hardy, so you should cover the area of about 1m around the plant with e.g. bark mulch in order to protect the tubers from freezing. It requires well-drained organic soil, rich in humus, and kept moist but not wet. It should be grown in a warm, sunny spot. A good amateur plant. Particularly useful for growing up fences, trellises and other supports. Ideal for colour compositions.