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Annual Biennial

Solanum melongena 'Bonica'

aubergine 'Bonica'

A variety of aubergine, a tropical perennial grown as an annual, with grey-green, downy foliage. It reaches about 1.2m, has small, pale purple flowers, and produces good quality, large, glossy, deep purple fruit from late summer into autumn

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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 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 Grey Silver
Summer Purple Green Grey Silver Purple
Autumn Purple Green Grey Silver Purple
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1C
Botanical details
Family
Solanaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
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

Can be grown outdoors in a sunny, sheltered position in mild areas, but is better grown in a greenhouse or tall growing-frame. 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 and feed every 10-14 days with a balanced liquid fertiliser, switching to a high potassium liquid feed once the first fruits have set. See Aubergines (Grow your own)

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors for further advice

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
Pruning

Pinch out the growing tip when the plant has reached about 30cm high to encourage branching

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly, aphids and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), tomato leaf mould and tomato viruses

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