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Livening up your garden: Ornamental Pepper, Capsicum annuum |
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Livening up your garden: Ornamental Pepper, Capsicum annuum
Reiman’s Pick
For the week of July 26, 2010
Livening up your garden: Ornamental Pepper, Capsicum annuum
Courtney Long, Outdoor Horticulture Intern
Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University
Peppers are typically thought of as a vegetable for eating, but there are numerous peppers now available grown not for their edible fruit, but for their beautiful fruit. Ornamental peppers are wonderful additions to outdoor containers or annual flower beds where their brightly colored, fruits spice-up gardens from spring to frost.
Pepper plants are warm season annuals native to tropical areas in America. They have been grown by Native American’s since pre-historic times. Peppers are easy to grow in full sun, fertile and well drained soil.
At Reiman Gardens there are several different varieties of peppers growing this summer, two of which are ornamental. The Capsicum annuum ‘Garda Tricolor’ has light to medium green foliage, and contains cone shaped fruit with shades of purple, red and yellow. These fruit all develop at once, appearing like confetti, creating a unique look. While the fruits are edible, they are primarily grown for their beauty.
Also found at the Gardens is Black Pearl ornamental pepper, Capsicum annuum ‘Black Pearl’. In 2006, Rob Griesbach and John Stommel of the Agricultural Research Service’s Vegetable Laboratory received the All-American Selections (AAS) award for this unique ornamental pepper cultivar. Black Pearl pepper gets its name from its small, shiny, black, round fruit which are produced all summer on short compact plants. Once the fruit matures, they become a brilliant red color and contrast beautifully against the purple leaves and dark stems.
Whether they are planted in seasonal containers or in planting beds, ornamental peppers are sure to add a unique twist to your home landscape. Visit Reiman Gardens and see which type of pepper fits your fancy.
Reference:
Jul 30, 2010 1:54 PM
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