About
A bushy perennial half-hardy shrub. It has evergreen leaves and purple and white flowers and these develop into egg-shaped fruits with a smooth creamy yellow skin with purplish stripes.
About the 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
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHNeutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Fruit Edible, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesMixed borders, hedging, foundation planting.
Care notes
CultivationGrow in water-retaining but well-drained soil in good light. Water freely and use a hig potassium eg tomato feed for maximum crop.
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by seed
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, mealybugs, glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), tomato leaf mould and tomato viruses