-
£2.50 P&P ON orders <£40. Free P&P on orders >£40
We are unable to deliver to N.Ireland, Europe or The rest of the worlD
Aubergine ‘Black Beauty’
£2.40
Availability: In stock
Solanum Melongena – 25 Seeds
Aubergine ‘Black Beauty’ is a much-loved heritage variety dating back to the early 1900’s. It produces generous crops of glossy, deep-purple fruits with a rich, full flavour and firm texture. Early to mature and well suited to the UK climate, it performs beautifully in a greenhouse or a sunny, sheltered spot outdoors. A rewarding choice for both beginners and experienced growers alike.
Sow indoors in mid winter to mid spring in trays or modules at 18-21°.
Pot on to 9cm pots when the seedlings are large enough to handle.
The plants will need support as they grow.
Harvest when the fruits are firm, plump and shiny.
Sow: February – April
Harvest: July – October
Height: 60–75 cm
Spacing: 45 cm
Ideal for: Greenhouse · Polytunnel · Sheltered patio pots
Seed Story
There is a division of opinion on where aubergines, also known as eggplants, originate from but it is believed to be China or India.
Wild relatives of the eggplant can be found in Africa and Asia.
They arrived in Europe in the middle ages where they arrived via Spain and Italy. There are records of Aubergines in England in 16th Century. It was the Spanish who introduced them to America. Like the tomato, they weren’t used as a food crop for centuries, as part of the nightshade family, they were regarded with caution and were grown for ornamental purposes initially.
They are used as vegetables in cooking but botanically they are actually classed as a berry.
Italian and Egyptian folklore says that the eggplant can cause insanity!
