Ornamental Pepper 'Purple Flash'
‘Purple Flash’ was on my very first roster of plants back in 2012 (the high school growing days). It is a favorite of mine because… it’s purple of course! Go cats! In all seriousness though, it has some first rate qualities.
‘Purple Flash’ has deep, almost black colored leaves layered with purple and white flashes of color at terminal growing points where fruit is eventually produced. Color develops as plants mature and the heat of summer sets in.
Flowers are a light purple color and fruit ripens to red. They have a generally great, compact growth habit. I have witnessed the love hummingbirds have for the nectar of the plant’s flowers.
Spread & Height: ~15-20”
A Note from the Grower
Ornamental peppers are unique to other peppers because we grow them for their colorful foliage. These annuals are temperature tolerant as well, making them a season-long delight. They also boast colorful fruit that is edible, but not typically eaten. They aren’t cultivated for their flavor and are definitely on the hotter side (~50,000 SHU)!
The benefit of ornamental peppers is that they are easy-care color that also adds texture to your containers or in-ground garden. Ornamental peppers join two worlds of gardening—the edible and the ornamental—the edimental. Choose from two varieties—an old favorite of mine and an orange-fruited pepper to spice up the mix. Head to the Plant Guide for care information.
