Capsicum annuum ‘Black Pearl’

A pepper that looks almost too good to eat

red-hot pepper plants ( Capsicum annuumcvs . ) are one of my passions . They are not only one of the world ’s healthiest vegetables ( wedge - full of beta - carotene and vitamin C and bang for their pain - allay properties ) but also very ornamental in a assorted molding or terrace container . Some of my past favorites have been ‘ Trifetti ’ for its variegated leaves , and ‘ Medusa ’ and ‘ Nosegay ’ for their multicolored , miniature fruit . This year , honor go to the exciting , miniature - fruiting cultivar ‘ Black Pearl ’ .

A 2006 All - America Selections winner , ‘ Black Pearl ’ shoot a line the most dramatically deep purple - ignominious leave of absence and fruit conceivable . The vigorous , bushy plants develop to 18 inch tall and almost as wide . In a border , ‘ Black Pearl ’ makes an outstanding visual foil for silver - leafage plants , like artemisias ( Artemisiaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) , lambs ’ ears ( Stachys byzantinaand cvs . , Zones 4–8 ) , and verbascums ( Verbascumspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) . variegate - foliage plants , like some of the mottled and spotted heucheras ( Heucheraspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–8 ) and heucherellas ( XHeucherellacvs . geographical zone 3–8 ) , are also model companions in pots .

Like all black pepper , ‘ Black Pearl ’ needs spate of sunlight and warm temperature for optimum growth . Start come indoors two to three weeks before your last Robert Frost engagement . works are ready to go outside when the land temperature reaches 60 ° F . The leaves will start out green but will turn bootleg as soon as they hit full sun . understandably heat energy tolerant , ‘ Black Pearl ’ requires minimum water supply and fertilization during the season . standardized to other blistering peppers , it come with its own built - in pesterer - deterrent system .

In midseason , ‘ Black Pearl ’ start to exhibit lilac - hued flower , which are followed by the yield . The yield turns from black to a robust , sheeny deep red as it ripens , lending an additional optical incentive that cover until frost . The yield , while modest , pack an extremely red-hot punch , so employ them with attention in the kitchen . All in all , ‘ Black Pearl ’ is a bona fide garden stunner that is as delicious to the heart as it is to the palate .

Get our late point , how - to articles , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .

Signing you up …

Visiting the Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden

Ask the Expert: Jason Reeves

Not Your Average Moon Garden

The Experts' Top Ten

Join Fine horticulture for a free plight live webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned plant life diagnostician as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals technical director …

When I recognize a picky Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I knew I was in trouble . With a delightful color normal …

When we only prioritize works we want over plant our landscape needs , each season is fill with a never - ending list of task : pruning , pinching , watering , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be deliberate when you infix the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re probable to spark on something , but because you might be dive - flunk by a pair …