#alkegengi

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Monday 27 January 2025

The vigorous herbaceous perennial Physalis alkekengi (Chinese lantern, alkegengi, bladder cherry, strawberry-and-tomato, winter cherry) is grown for the inflated, lantern-like deep orange calyces that develop after the small creamy-yellow flowers. Left on the plant the ‘lanterns’ eventually form a papery skeleton around the red berry. This plant will grow in any well-drained soil in sun or partial shade but it can become invasive though in my experience it can be hard to establish.

Jill Raggett