Landscape Peppers

Host: Gary Bachman, Ornamental Horticulture Specialist

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It’s time for more peppers in the garden, and landscape today on Southern Gardening.

In the past I’ve expressed my love for hot peppers. But let’s face it there are only so many ghost, Trinidad Scorpion and Carolina Reapers I can safely eat as my gastrointestinal “heat” tolerance is waning. So in these circumstances what’s a hot pepper lover to do? In my case it’s growing ornamental peppers because they love our heat in the late summer.

Gardeners all across the country are going crazy for ornamental peppers and the plant breeders and growers have responded. There are more new introductions available in a dizzying array of options for the home garden and landscape. From big and small, green, purple and variegated foliage, and multi-colored fruit; what a fun and unique way to add interest to your garden.

There are some great ornamental varieties that we have grown in our trials from the Chile Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University. NuMex April Fool’s Day, NuMex Chinese New Year, NuMex Cinco de Mayo and NuMex Easter all provide a colorful addition to any garden. I’m going to let the cat out of the bag that the some of the NuMex ornamental peppers will be named Mississippi Medallion winners in the near future.

I realize it’s too late for plantings this year. If you are interested in some of these varieties for next year the seeds are available on-line. Until next time, I’m horticulturist Gary Bachman enjoying our Southern Gardening.