Cucurbita pepo 'Black Beauty' (Summer Squash)

Black Beauty is one of the most widely grown zucchinis in American home gardens, and it has held that position for good reason. The glossy, near-black skin and cylindrical shape are visually striking, and the firm, creamy-white flesh is mild and tender when harvested young. Best picked at six to eight inches, the fruits deteriorate quickly into woody, watery clubs if left too long, so this is a variety that rewards checking the plant every day or two once it starts producing.

The open, upright bush habit makes harvesting straightforward compared to sprawling squash types. Plants reach one to three feet tall and spread two to four feet wide, producing abundantly from mid-summer through frost as long as you keep them picked. A single plant can supply more zucchini than many households know what to do with.

Black Beauty is a reliable performer in Pacific Northwest gardens, tolerating the cooler summers along the coast better than many warm-season vegetables.