James, I have not grown it, and am happy not to be in a short season area. But here's what I recall of the variety. I'm pretty sure that Painted Mountain was developed by a fellow breeding for super hardy, short season, multi-purpose corn. It is a flour corn, if I recall, so it is not sweet.

When I read about the variety's development I remember that it carries genes from corns from all kinds of land races as well as modern corns. If I recall (and for me that's sometimes iffy") it was developed in Montana. The breeder did this over many years and really worked at it, even getting in extra grow outs in a green house. Before releasing it he claimed that he could plant it and with only one rain, still harvest a usable crop, even if the plants and ears would be stunted. He wanted to develop kind of an "ultimate survival corn."

Below is a link to some info on this corn, which I just dug up before posting this. Looks like my memory is working : )

George
Tahlequah, OK

Here is a link that might be useful: development of Painted Mt. Corn

The above link left off the photos. Try this link instead: http://seedweneed.com/