Description
AAS WINNER DETAILS
Winner Type: National
Class: Capsicum
Variety Name: Onyx Red
Genus: Capsicum
Species: annuum
Year: 2018
Common Name: Ornamental Pepper
Type: Flowers from Seed
Breeder: Takii & Co., Ltd.
Close Market Comparison: Black Pearl, Black Olive
PLANT NEEDS
Duration Type: Annual
Light Needs: Full sun
Water Needs: Dry to normal
Dead Heading Recommended: No
Staking Required: No
PLANT CHARACTERISTICS
Foliage Color: Black
Plant Habit: Compact, Bushy
Plant Height: 6 inches (Pot), 8-10 inches (Garden)
Bloom Time: Late spring, summer to frost
Bloom Color: Purple (Flower) Black to Red (Fruit)
Bloom Color Pattern: Solid
Bloom Size: 3/8 inches (Flower), 3/8 inches round (Fruit)
IN THE GARDEN
Container: Yes
Pollinator Friendly: Yes
Weather Tolerance: Heat, Rain
Garden Spacing: 6-8 inches
Low Edging: Yes
HOW TO GROW
Cover the seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. Germination takes 5 to 7 days and plug stage needs 4-5 weeks under 68 to 77℉(20 to 25℃). Enjoy black foliage with no fruit after 8 -12 weeks from sowing. With mature red fruits, it takes more 4-6 weeks. Overall, it performs best under high light as much as possible and warm temperatures. Commercial Grower Culture Info.
JUDGE'S OBSERVATIONS
- “Red and black fruit exhibit beautifully within extremely black foliage.”
- “Real WOW power in the landscape.”
- “Huge hit with trial garden visitors.”
- “This is an awesome plant.”
- “The appearance of the entire plant lends itself to an “all-season” interest instead of just when the peppers started to show.”
- “Held a nice, petite form with gorgeous fine foliage in the garden.”
AAS Winners
Jeni Cullen, Eden Park, Cincinnati, OH –
Very compact plant with a tidy, rounded habit. I used it as a border plant with bright, yellow plants behind for contrast. Bright red fruit is really an attention getter.
AAS Display Garden- River Valley Master Gardeners –
The black foliage is striking in mixed containers, even before the fruit arrives mid-summer in Zone 6a (planted from seed).