Aubergine - Black Beauty - Strip

One of the most reliable and prolific aubergines, 'Black Beauty' quickly gets into its stride, producing several fulsome, deep purple fruits about 12cm (5in) long on tall, sturdy plants.

These mature early and crop well even in a less-than-perfect summer. In milder areas they can be grown outside in a sheltered, sunny spot, although for the highest yields you'll need the extra heat of a greenhouse.