Solanum melongena 'Scorpio'
aubergine 'Scorpio'
'Scorpio' is an aubergine grown as an annual either in a greenhouse, frame or cloche or outside in a sunny sheltered position.Compact, bushy plants to around 60cm tall and wide with grey-green, downy leaves produce crops of small, ovoid, deep purple fruit from mid summer into autumn
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Purple | Green | Purple | |
Autumn | Green | Purple | ||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Solanum can be annuals, perennials, evergreen or deciduous shrubs or twining climbers, with simple or pinnnately lobed leaves and star- or bowl-shaped, 5-lobed flowers with prominent stamens, followed by fleshy fruits
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Start from seed or buy as small plants and grow on in a heated greenhouse or on a warm windowsill. Move to an unheated greenhouse or outside once all risk of frost has passed. Water regularly to keep the growing media evenly moist and feed every 10-14 days with a balanced liquid fertiliser before switching to a high potassium liquid feed once the first fruits have set
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors for further advice
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
Pruning
Pinch out the growing tip of the plant when it has reached about 30cm high and remove excess flowers if larger fruits are required
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly, aphids and glasshouse red spider mite
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.