Tiny creamy-white flowers are followed by fresh green papery lanterns which turn bright red in autumn. Lovely as cut or dried flowers.
Botanical Name: Physalis alkekengi
Type: Hardy Perrenial
Height: Up to 24in
Light: Full Sun
Habit: Medium
Sow indoors for surest results, March-July, 0.5cm (¼") deep, in trays of compost. Water well and place in a cold frame, unheated greenhouse, or a warm kitchen windowsill. Keep moist. Seedlings usually appear in 21-30 days. Transplant individually, when large enough to handle, to 7.5cm (3") pots. Always hold seedlings by a leaf, never by the stem. Gradually accustom young plants to outside conditions, before planting out into well-drained soil, July-October, 45cm (18") apart. Or, sow thinly, outdoors, May-July, in a seed bed, into finely-prepared, well-drained soil, which has already been watered. Thin seedlings to 5cm (2") apart, before planting out to flowering position in autumn. Flowers: July-October, the following year.
For dried displays, cut when 'lanterns' show colour. Hang upside down in bunches, in a light, airy room. Remove leaves when stems are dry.
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