What hardiness zones is Cucurbita pepo 'Ronde de Nice' suitable for?

Cucurbita pepo 'Ronde de Nice' is an annual vegetable reaching 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall with a spread of 36-48 inches (90-120 cm) and a compact, bushy, open habit. A French heirloom round zucchini from the Nice region of Provence, dating to at least the 1800s, it produces round, speckled, pale green to sage green fruits with lighter flecks, 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) in diameter. Tender, creamy flesh with a delicate, slightly sweet flavor. Harvest at 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) for baby squash, or at 3-5 inches for stuffing—the round shape and tender rind are traditional for the Provençal dish petits farcis (stuffed vegetables). Days to maturity 45-55 from direct sow. Growth rate is fast. Open-pollinated. Open plant habit allows easy picking.

Native Range

Cucurbita pepo originated in Central America and Mexico. 'Ronde de Nice' is a French heirloom from Nice, Provence, dating to at least the 1800s.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens for culinary use—stuffing (petits farcis), grilling halves, sautéing, baby squash. Speckled pale green round. French Provence heirloom. Delicate sweet flavor. Traditional stuffing squash. Open-pollinated—seed saving. 45-55 days. Edible flowers. Not suitable for storage—use fresh. Susceptible to powdery mildew.

How to Identify

Distinguished from 'Eight Ball' by the speckled pale green (versus solid dark glossy green) skin and the French heirloom (versus modern hybrid) breeding. Distinguished from 'Costata Romanesco' by the round (versus elongated ribbed) shape and the smooth (versus ribbed) surface. Ronde de Nice—speckled pale green round, French Provence heirloom, traditional petits farcis, delicate sweet, open-pollinated.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'

Width/Spread3' - 4'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Summer

Large yellow-orange flowers continuously throughout summer. Male and female flowers. Bee pollination essential. Edible flowers—traditional in Provençal cuisine.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellow-orange; large; male and female; edible

Foliage Description

Dark green; large palmate; on compact open stems; silvery mottling

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 8-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

45-55 days from direct sow

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Direct sow after last frost when soil warms to 65°F (18°C), or start indoors 3-4 weeks before. Full sun, well-drained, fertile soil (pH 6.0-7.0). Consistent moisture. Heavy feeder. Days to maturity 45-55 from direct sow. Harvest frequently—round fruits enlarge quickly. Best at 2-5 inches. Open habit for easy harvest.