Onamental Sweet Potato Vine ‘Marguerite’

Common name: Ornamental sweet potato vine ‘Marguerite’

* Botanical name: Ipomoea batatas ‘Marguerite’

* What it is: A vining annual that’s actually a sweet potato, just not very good to eat. This one’s grown for its bright golden, heart-shaped leaves that line the long, trailing stems.

* Size: 6-8 inches tall but can “billow” and easily reach out 3 to 4 feet by end of summer.

* Where to use: Hanging baskets, window boxes, large pots or in the ground where there’s plenty of room to sprawl. Full sun to nearly full shade (although color will be more green in deeper shade).

* Care: Plant mid May through June. Check daily for water in pots and baskets. Add timed-release balanced fertilizer to soil at planting, then in-season fertilizer usually not needed. Yank and compost when finally browns out at end of fall.

* Great partner: Orange or red marigolds, burgundy coleus and/or ‘Profusion Orange’ or ‘Profusion Fire’ zinnias.