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Annual BiennialConservatory Greenhouse

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 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Purple Green Purple
Autumn Green Purple
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1C
Botanical 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.