Huge scarlet lanternswhich are magnificently attractive in the garden and then can be cut and dried to be used all through the winter to decorate naturally, your house. Easy, thriving in almost any soil, sun or shade. Lanterns late summer
Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii, also known as Cape Gooseberry, is a highly unusual and exotic looking plant that provides garden interest throughout the seasons. In midsummer the plant is covered in small creamy-white flowers that contrast with the oval green foliage. Later in the year they become full of berries that are inside bright red-orange papery calyces that look like Chinese lanterns. If left on the plant over winter the berries, which have been hidden inside, become visible as the calyces slowly skeletonize and end up, on frosty winter days, looking like gilded cages surrounding the berries.
A popular cottage garden perennial, Physalis alkekengi is a hardy perennial that produces small creamy-white, nodding flowers in summer, followed by light green fruit cases in August which add to the appeal of the plant and turn to a very attractive deep orange in September. These papery, orange-red husks resemble the popular lanterns and housing bright orange-scarlet berries.Perfect for providing autumn interest to your garden, they can be grown in well-drained beds and borders and are ideal in pots where they can be fully appreciated. As well as great garden colour, the delicate lanterns also make superb dried flowers in arrangements and bouquets and can be easily dried for Christmas arrangements. Fully deserving its coveted RHS Award of Garden Merit, you can be sure that this is a proven garden performer, guaranteed to be suitable for UK gardeners at every level of experience. You can therefore plant this in the garden with confidence, for stunning displays for many years to come. Supplied as an established plant in a 9cm pot ready to plant out, Chinese lanterns are very easy to grow and care for, thriving in a sunny or shady position in preferably moist, well-draining soil.