Species Intermediate Enchanter's Nightshade
white flowers with olive buds, leaves and olive stems

Intermediate Enchanter's Nightshade

Circaea x sterilis

Intermediate Enchanter's Nightshade is a small, low-growing perennial plant belonging to the Onagraceae family. It typically grows in moist soils, woodlands, and shaded areas, and produces spikes of small white flowers in mid to late summer. The leaves are lanceolate, and glossy green in colour. The plant can reach a height of 24 to 48 inches, with an underground rhizome making it easy to spread. Its diameter never exceeds 4 inches. It is a beautiful plant to have in any garden or naturalized area, and makes a great addition to a wildflower meadow or a shade garden. Its distinctive little white flowers are an exotic addition to any outdoor space.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Fruits:

green,white Fruits Ready In

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Intermediate Enchanter's Nightshade should be watered regularly and consistently. Water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry. Depending on the season, it may need to be watered up to once a week during hot weather and less frequently in cooler weather. When watering, ensure that the root area is getting the moisture it needs for optimal growth. However, be careful not to overwater, as this can damage the roots and cause the plant to become root-bound. Additionally, rain should be taken into consideration when watering your Intermediate Enchanter's Nightshade—if the plant is getting plenty of rain, waterings should be decreased, or else the soil could become oversaturated.

sunlight

Intermediate Enchanter's Nightshade, also known as Circaea x sterilis, thrives in partial to full shade, with indirect or filtered sunlight. When planted in full sun, this species may experience leaf burn and wilting. The ideal amount and timing of sunlight for Intermediate Enchanter's Nightshade is around 6 hours of direct or filtered sunlight a day, preferably in the late morning or afternoon hours, when the sun is less intense and temperatures are more mild. If the plant is exposed to longer periods of sunlight, it would be wise to provide some protection from the extreme rays.

pruning

Intermediate Enchanter's Nightshade should be pruned during the late winter or early spring months, when the plant is in its dormant state. Pruning should be limited in order to maintain the natural shape and size of the plant; removing only any dead or damaged foliage and thinning out some of the foliage to promote air circulation and reduce the chance of diseases. Aim for a modest 1/3 cutback of established plants, although be sure to follow the structure of the plant and not to cut any foliage back to bare stems.

Season

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

Intermediate Enchanter's Nightshade typically starts flowering in May.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits of Circaea x sterilis is in July and August.