The best chiles for this treatment are rocotos (C. pubescens). They get big, old, and bushy, have little winter die-back, and start growing again early in the spring. The ajis (C. baccatum) are also good, being both fast growing and resistant to winter die-back. The habaneros (C. chinense) are OK for this, but tend to be stunted, probably by the cool temperatures. Same goes for the wild pepper varieties. Most of the other chiles (C. annuum) aren't too good for this treatment. They tend to die over the winter. Especially the fast-growing plants like cayennes, anchos and the like. The exceptions have been peruvian purple and serrano. Especially the peruvian - it has a compact, slow-growing bushy growth habit. Question - anyone have observations on other chile varieties grown as perennials in the north? I'm especially interested in varieties that resist dying during cold, dark winters.