Physalis alkekengi ‘Chinese Lantern’ (5 bulbs)

The Physalis alkekengi ‘Chinese Lantern’ is a hardy perennial that bears creamy white flowers in summer, and in autumn, papery deep orange ‘lanterns’ (calyces) that enclose around red berries. Mostly known as the ‘Chinese Lantern Plant’ and for it’s orange lanterns, which when left on the plant form a papery skeleton around the red berry within.

You can grow the Chinese Lantern Plant in any moist, well-drained garden soil, in a sunny or partial shaded position. The roots are known to spread easily so to keep them in check, we recommend growing this perennial in a container filled with multi-purpose, peat-free compost. You can feed the plant with an all-purpose feed in spring, and mulch in autumn, just make sure the soil or compost is kept moist.

The attractive deep orange lanterns can be cut in late-summer and dried in a dark, airy place for a few weeks for use in winter floral arrangements.

Details

• Bulb count per pack: 5 bulbs
• Flower colour: White flowers in summer, orange lanterns in late-summer
• Flowering months: June, July, August
• Flowering height: 75cm / 30″
• Hardiness: Hardy perennial
• When to plant: March, April, May
• Planting depth: 8cm / 3″
• Bulb spacing: 25cm / 10″ apart
• Soil type: Moist, well-drained soil
• Sunlight: Full sun / Partial shade