Ornamental Pepper

An annual that you might want to check out for your garden this coming season is the new Ornamental Pepper ‘Black Olive’, (Capsicum annuum ‘Black Olive’)  It went through nation-wide testing last year in All America Selections trial gardens and was reported as a standout, especially in southern gardens where heat was a major factor.  Based on this and other past testing, it has been awarded the designation of a 2012 AAS Flower Award Winner. It is attractive all season long with lush dark-purple foliage on multi-stemmed, bushy plants that attain a height of from 14” – 24”.  The plant produces purple flowers that are clustered along the stem and result in dark purple/black fruit.  As the season progresses, these fruits mature to a bright red color that contrast nicely with the rest of the plant.  The plants require no staking and grow best in a well-drained soil with full sun exposure.