garden adventurer
The bright red Mad Hatter peppers seem like they would have plenty of sizzle, but these beauties are sweet with only a hint of heat.
The Other Peppers WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY L.A. JACKSON
104 APRIL 2021
PEPPER GARDENERS seem to be divided into two groups: Those who play it safe by growing the sweet, mild bell peppers, and brave souls who insist on raising an insane flamer such as the regionally infamous Carolina Reaper. There is a middle ground, however — peppers that look like they should be hot but are not. These peppers come in suspicious shapes usually associated with ones scorchingly fit for a devil’s dinner, but are actually quite mild. There are a few such pepper possibilities suitable not only for your veggie garden but, because many sport festive, colorful appearances, even ornamental beds. And, no, they won’t be hard to find. Last year, I spotted all of these locally at either Home Depot or Lowes, and I know many nursery centers around town have even more born-to-bemild selections.
