Chinese Lantern

Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: any well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: fast-growing
• Flowering period: July to August
• Flower colour: creamy-white
• Other features: all parts of the plant may cause a mild stomach upset if ingested; the papery lanterns make wonderful dried flower arrangements; triangular or diamond-shaped mid-green leaves
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Tiny, creamy-white flowers from July to August followed by bright orange-scarlet berries enclosed by papery, red lanterns. Chinese lanterns are perfect for providing autumn interest in well-drained areas of the garden. To prevent them from becoming invasive try cutting a slit trench around the crown of the plant with a spade each autumn.
  
  
• Garden care: To check the spread of underground stems cut the area round the crown of the plant with a spade each autumn. Lift and divide congested colonies in spring.
  
  

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