Chilli Pepper 'Basket of Fire'

'Basket of Fire' is a highly decorative and productive F1 hybrid chilli pepper that is specifically suited to the UK's cooler climate. It has a unique, semi-trailing habit, making it the perfect choice for hanging baskets or raised containers on a sunny patio. The plant produces a prolific crop of small, upright chillies that change colour from deep purple to cream, then orange, and finally a vibrant red as they ripen. Because the fruits mature at different times, the plant is covered in a spectacular "fire" of multi-coloured peppers simultaneously. On the Scoville scale, they are moderately hot (around 80,000 SHU), offering a significant kick. This variety is more tolerant of cool weather than most chillies, allowing for a longer fruiting season in British gardens. It is best started indoors in late winter or early spring with heat. It requires a sunny, sheltered spot and regular feeding with a high-potash tomato fertiliser once the first fruits appear. It is as much an ornamental plant as it is a culinary one.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Rich, well-drained compost.

Hardiness: H2 — down to 1°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul, Aug.