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Herbaceous Perennial

Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii 'Zwerg'

Chinese lantern 'Zwerg'

A spreading herbaceous perennial to 30cm high, with oval green leaves and small white flowers in summer followed in autumn by large, bright orange, lantern-shaped calyces, enclosing red fruits, which persist through winter

Synonyms

Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii 'Gnome'
Physalis franchetti 'Zwerg'

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

West–facing or East–facing or South–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Solanaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten, except ripe fruit. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten, except ripe fruit - For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Physalis can be annuals or rhizomatous perennials with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and small bell-shaped flowers in the leaf axils, followed by fleshy, sometimes edible, yellow, red or purple berries, enclosed in enlarged, often colourful, calyces
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Has the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring, or by basal cuttings in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Banks and slopes
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillar damage

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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