Hardiness Zone: 8a
agc1953 from Prattville, AL
A: agc1953,
There are so many options for ornamental peppers now that I'm not sure if you're referring to a specific genus or not. Many gardeners lump all small, brightly colored peppers into the ornamental group-some edible some not. No matter the species, the plants and seeds can be hard to come by, but it's worth the effort to seek them out. Once established, peppers left outdoors are quite heat tolerant, need very little maintenance and readily seed themselves.
Hope this helps!
Ellen
Hi,
I got some on Ebay, and some at Tomato Growers Supply. Tomato Growers ships pretty fast.
Totaly Tomatoes also have ornamental peppers, but I haven't bought there.
I have bought from Totally Tomatoes and got fast service and high quality seeds.
If you have a garden I would suggest that you grow your own hot peppers (the long, red, variety). If you don't have a garden, you can purchase these peppers in season at a veggie stand or your supermarket. Then, using a long needle and ketchen twine (wear gloves so your hands wont burn) and string the peppers closely together to the length you want.
I ordered some last year from SeedSavers the plants were full of fruit and they lasted for awhile. I put some in a upside down pot and they did really well.
Check out these photos.
I created a bank where my front lawn meets the street. It's covered in Bermuda. I am rooting a variegated ivy for this bank. As the pieces root, I sprig them here and there.
Last year, my neighbor gave me a first generation plant of this F1 hybrid. I saved the seed and planted them, this year. To date, I have not been able to tell any visual difference in second and first generation plants.
I just love the color on this ornamental pepper plant. The contrast of red and green is stunning.