Species Smaller Enchanter's Nightshade
white-yellow flowers with yellow-white buds, lime leaves and stems

Smaller Enchanter's Nightshade

Circaea alpina

The Smaller Enchanter Nightshade (Circaea alpina) is a hardy perennial plant native to Europe. It is characterized by its delicate, pale green foliage and clusters of small white flowers with pink or purple stamens. These flowers start appearing in summer and continue to bloom throughout fall. It is a low growing plant that prefers light shade or partial shade and prefers slightly acidic, moist, and well-draining soil. It can reach heights of up to 12 inches in ideal conditions. This makes it an ideal choice for providing a ground cover in shaded areas of your garden when allowed to spread.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Flowers

Sun:

part shade,full shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

The Smaller Enchanter's Nightshade is a medium to low water-needing plant. It requires moderately moist soil to thrive, so check the soil for dryness before watering. Water the plant when the top inch of the soil is dry. Aim to water the plant once or twice a week, and water until the soil is moist but not soggy. If the weather is very hot and dry, you may need to increase the frequency of watering to help the plant stay hydrated. On the other hand, in cooler, rainy weather, make sure you don't overwater or else the plant may suffer from root rot or other fungal diseases.

sunlight

Smaller Enchanter's Nightshade, or Circaea alpina, grows best in full sun, although it can tolerate partial shade. It requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day in order to thrive. During the summer months, it should receive full sun during the morning and early afternoon hours while being protected from the hotter and more intense late afternoon rays. During the winter months, it will require at least 4 hours of full sun each day. It is important to note that the angle of the sun is especially important when planting Smaller Enchanter's Nightshade to ensure that it receives the best possible exposure.

pruning

Smaller Enchanter's Nightshade should be pruned in late winter or early spring in order to maintain its shape and vigor. Pruning should be done lightly, removing only dead, damaged or diseased stems and branches. Trimming off any straggly or overgrown branches will also help to promote bushiness and will also encourage more blooms to appear. Pruning should not be done more than once a year, and should be done gradually, not in 1 heavy pruning session.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Smaller Enchanter's Nightshade typically starts flowering in June.