Hot and Savory Peppers

Add depth and earthiness to recipes—or a fiery kick

A few weeks back we talked about sweet peppers, but with Cinco de Mayo on the horizon some spicier varieties are in order. Our large selection of hot peppers ranges from fiery specimens to a number of tasty varieties that fall somewhere between sweet and hot—we like to refer to them as savory. They add depth and earthiness to a recipe without blowing steam through your ears and setting off the fire alarm, although they do have a little bit of a kick. Here are some new selections in both of these hot pepper categories:

Huge, glossy jet-black leaves have matching stems

Elephant ear is pure drama with a tropical feel, and ‘Black Coral’ ups the ante with huge, glossy jet-black leaves and matching stems. It forms a tight 3-1/2 foot clump in the landscape, creating a focal point that makes a statement—and that’s putting it mildly. If the light hits a leaf just right the veins appear to glow a cool LED blue. 

This variety is part of the Royal Hawaiian series and represents a breakthrough in breeding by Dr. John Cho from the University of Hawaii: unlike the typical colocasia it is non-invasive. ‘Black Coral’ does not develop runners so it will not spread uncontrollably—the tight clump stays where you put it. We find that the plant is still a fast grower, however, particularly in rich, wet soils.

Dramatic alone or when paired with bright colors

‘Black Coral’ makes an exotic thriller in large containers and mixed combinations, and adds striking contrast when paired with brightly colored plants. It can also be used at the edge of a pond or in water gardens in full sun to partial shade.

We grow this selection in the 4.5-inch pot.

Consistent color coverage even at the height of summer

Look at all the flowers—they keep coming all summer long. These pretty mounds of foliage are simply covered, and you’ll notice that the petals on each bloom overlap to create an even larger, fully rounded form. If you need a bright splash of color for a sunny, hot, and dry spot, this is it.

Pacifica XP Mystic Mix is a great low-maintenance plant for summer. It requires only light watering, and there are no gaps in coverage during the hot days at the height of the season. We find that the mix of burgundy, white, and lilac blends easily into many of our landscape designs—it’s also effective in a mass planting.

Go ahead and add this variety to your expanding list of pollinator-friendly plants—it comes in the 1801 landscape tray and the 6-inch pot.