Purple Flash ornamental pepper (Photo by Allen Owings)

Fall is the time of the year for ornamental peppers. These are a unique, specialty plant for home landscapes.

Ornamental peppers produce colorful fruit – which are actual peppers – in a wide range of sizes, forms and colors. Purple, orange, yellow, red, brown, blue and white are common. Multiple colors can appear on the same plant.

When it comes to planting ornamental peppers, you should be aware of several factors. Soil pH is not critical, but slightly acidic conditions in the range 5.5-6.0 are best. Plant in full sun and space plants according to the mature size of the variety chosen. Fertilizing at planting will normally last through fall. Irrigation is necessary during dry spells.

You can find many varieties of ornamental peppers, including Chilly Chili (an All-America Selection in 2002), Medusa, Little Elf, Calico, the black-foliaged Black Pearl, the Explosive series, the purple-foliaged Purple Flash and Red Missile.

All ornamental peppers are heat-tolerant and will make a great addition to the late-summer and fall landscape in Louisiana. They work well with autumn, Halloween and Thanksgiving landscape themes.

Allen Owings
Rick Bogren