‘Black Pearl’ is a new ornamental pepper cultivar recently developed and introduced by the US National Arboretum Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit and Agricultural Research Service’s Vegetable Laboratory. This cultivar was designated an All-America Selections^® (AAS) Flower Award winner for 2006. The compact, upright plants bear distinctive semi-glossy, deep purple to black leaves, complemented with scores of shiny round black-purple "pearls" of fruit that mature to bright red. The plant grows taller and wider developing into a black pyramid shape without pinching, pruning, or grooming. ‘Black Pearl’ is exceptionally heat tolerant (is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 10) and requires minimal water and fertilizer. ‘Black Pearl’ performs well as either a bedding or pot plant, where it offers a vibrant accent to home gardens throughout the summer and fall seasons. You can find this new ornamental pepper ‘Black Pearl’ in the National Herb Garden. Read more about ‘Black Pearl’ here and see the New Introduction Fact Sheet here.