CHILLI Black Olive - 10 Seeds Why settle for just flowers, merely dark leaves, or simply glossy fruits when with Black Olive, you can have all 3 at once? This ornamental chilli is the coolest plant this side of the cucumbers, and you've got to give it a try this season! Bushy and neat, it's perfect for containers as well as the annual bed AND the cutting garden! The small, pointed leaves are dark midnight-purple (with an occasional flash of bright emerald green just to keep things lively!) and so showy. They stand up to heat, humidity, and even drought beautifully, refusing to green out or wilt even in blistering hot summers. And from midsummer through autumn, they are topped by bright purple flowers, followed by clusters of small, round chillies that begin green, then turn black and finally mature to crimson red. These chillies appear all along the stems, creating quite a sight as they ripen against the dark leaves. They are edible, but beware -- they're HOT! This makes the plant very useful as a pest deterrent, by the way, so consider livening up your vegetable patch with some Black Olives to keep the bad bugs at bay! Black Olive is great in cutflower arrangements, too. Whether you're highlighting the foliage, flowers, or fruit, everything is colorful and attractive on this vigorous little performer. Cut all you like -- new branches, flowers, and peppers are waiting to set! It's easy to see why Black Olive won the 2012 Flowering Plant Award from All-America Selections. It's easy to grow, beautiful, and so versatile. The AAS Judges said this entry was a standout, especially in the southern gardens where heat was a major presence during the 2011 trials. All season long this beauty kept its upright habit with nicely draping leaves and dark purple/black fruit which appeared in small clusters along the stems. Find fun ways to put it to good use in your landscape this season! Care & Growing Instructions: Germination temperature is between 20°C and 28°C (germination period: 8-21 days); it is therefore recommended to use a greenhouse and a heating mat. The plants need fresh, well-fertilised, permeable soil, and do not tolerate waterlogging. They should be planted in a sunny, protected place with at least 6 hours of sunlight - preferably more. Put the plants outside approx. 2 to 3 weeks after the last frost.
