Physalis alkekengi var. franchettii
Chinese lantern, Winter cherry, Bladder cherry
- Height × spread
- 0.9m × 0.8m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This makes an upright foliage clump with good-sized leaves having lobed edges, having some similarity to those of an oak tree. There are small fan-shaped creamy white flowers in midsummer. These are followed in autumn by showy orange fruits, the 'Chinese lanterns' for which Physalis are loved. These papery lanterns are more pointed than in the species and the plant is also more substantial. Note that the plant is said to be toxic and handling the foliage can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Orange
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.9m
- Spread
- 0.8m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Harmful if eaten
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.