Ornamental peppers

Two new pepper cultivars developed by USDA Agriculture Research Service scientists promise to provide striking color contrasts in the summer and fall garden. Unique fruit shapes and orange fruit color provide compelling seasonal interest, especially for fall gardens during Halloween and Thanksgiving.

The patented Lil’ Pumpkin produces black foliage and orange pumpkin-like fruit, and the patent-pending Pepper Jack bears greenish-black foliage and a mix of both orange and black, small, cone-shaped fruit, similar to candy corn.

Lil’ Pumpkin and Pepper Jack have been licensed for retail sale by McCorkle Nurseries Inc. in Dearing, Georgia. Retailers can expect the plants in 2010.