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20% off
Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii
Chinese lantern
Tiny, creamy-white flowers from July to August followed by bright orange-scarlet berries enclosed by papery, red lanterns. Chinese lanterns are perfect...
9cm pot
available to order from summer
3 × 9cm pots
available to order from summer
1
Delivery options
For autumn and winter when the orange lanterns and leaves begin to fade - leaving dainty skeletons behind to catch the winter frost
Plant description
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. The papery lanterns make wonderful dried flower arrangements. To prevent them from becoming invasive try cutting a slit trench around the crown of the plant with a spade each autumn.
Eventual height & spread
Flowering period
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Plant features
Position
Full sun / light shade
Rate of growth
Average
Soil
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness
Fully hardy
How to care for Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii:
Plant Chinese lantern in a sunny spot with soil that drains well, as it spreads freely by underground stems. In open ground, keep it in check by cutting a spade around the crown each autumn to limit its spread.
In pots, choose a deep container with drainage holes and use a loam-based compost to stop it running. Lift and divide crowded clumps in spring to refresh the plant and keep growth manageable.
In pots, choose a deep container with drainage holes and use a loam-based compost to stop it running. Lift and divide crowded clumps in spring to refresh the plant and keep growth manageable.
Please note:
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
Warning
Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten, except ripe fruit
