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Herbaceous Perennial

Physalis alkekengi 'Halloween King'

A vigorous, compact herbaceous perennial to 40cm tall, with ovate green leaves which turn orange-red in the autumn. Nodding, white, bell-shaped flowers 2cm wide appear in summer, followed by inflated, lantern-like deep orange calyces 5cm long, enclosing red berries

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–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: Unresolved

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 in containers in a cold frame in spring; propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillar damage

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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