SCIENTIFIC NAME: Capsicum annuum

COMMON NAME: Ornamental pepper

FAMILY: Solanaceae

TYPE: annual

LEAVES: alternate, ovate-elliptic, 1"-5" long, entire margin

FLOWER: white and not considered substantially ornamental; fruits 1" to 2" long, yellow, red, purple, black (color is cultivar dependent), very attractive and spicy hot (use carefully around pets and children)

SEASON OF BLOOM: fruits in midsummer and retains until frost

GROWTH HABIT: 10" to 20", rounded

SOIL: moist, fertile

SUN: full, heat and drought tolerant

HARDINESS: zone 10

UTILIZATION: beds or borders, edging, excellent for south

DISEASES: fruit rot especially with high precipitation

INSECTS AND RELATED PESTS: none serious

PROPAGATION: seed

MAINTENANCE: low

CULTIVARS: Holiday Cheer has round fruit; Red Missle (10") and Treasures (5") have cone shaped fruits