Physalis alkekengi
Plant Expert:
Allan Armitage Physalis alkekengi
Allan Armitage
Physalis alkekengi
Physalis alkekengi (click for large image)
Bladder Cherry, Chinese Lantern, Winter Cherry 		Common Names:
  • Bladder Cherry
  • Chinese Lantern
  • Winter Cherry
More Images:
Bladder Cherry, Chinese Lantern, Winter Cherry Bladder Cherry, Chinese Lantern, Winter Cherry
 
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Origin:

  Japan  

Sun/Water Requirements:

  Partial/Full sun.
Moderate to wet conditions.
Armitage says: "Plant in full sun and provide constant moisture, particularly when the lanterns are developing."

Climate / Hardiness Zones:

  Zone 3 to Zone 9

Growth:

  Range: Grows from 18" to 24".
Armitage says: "Fertilize in the spring with side dressing of complete fertilizer but excessive applications may result in luxurious foliar growth with little fruit production."

Flowers:

  Color(s): White, Yellow

Armitage says: "One inch wide white flowers with yellow stamens are carried singly in the upper leaf axils."  

Foliage:

  Armitage says: "The opposite leaves are deltoid-ovate (shaped like a fat arrowhead) and up to 5" long. One inch wide white flowers with yellow stamens are carried singly in the upper leaf axils."  

Fruit:

  Armitage says: "The actual fruit is small and cherry-like but is surrounded by the dark orange-red inflated husk, which arises from the mature calyx. Fruit is 2-3" long and up to 6" in circumference. Harvest by late summer because if left on the plant, fruits become skeletonized. Allowing plants to dry out results in weedy looking specimens with small fruit."  

Landscape Value:

  Can be used as a specimen plant.

Armitage says: "Allowing plants to dry out results in weedy looking specimens with small fruit."

Other:

  Armitage says: "(Syn.P.franchetii) This species spreads by underground stems and, where it does well, can become a nuisance, creating a definite glut of Chinese lanterns in the neighborhood."  

Other Physalis alkekengi References & Articles:
Physalis alkekengi is hardy in these areas:
Alameda, CAAlamo, CAAlsip, IL
American Canyon, CAAngwin, CAAntioch, CA
Baltimore, MDBayside, NYBronx, NY
Brooklyn, NYBrownsville, TXCanton, MI
Chicago, ILCicero, ILCollege Point, NY
Conneaut, OHCorona, NYDanville, CA
Detroit, MIDorset, OHEast Claridon, OH
East Elmhurst, NYEcorse, MIElmhurst, NY
Elmwood Park, ILElyria, OHEssex, CA
Evergreen Park, ILFawnskin, CAFerndale, MI
Florence, SCFlushing, NYFontana, CA
Forest Falls, CAForest Hills, NYFort Eustis, VA
Fresh Meadows, NYGlen Burnie, MDGwynn Oak, MD
Harper Woods, MIHarrison Township, MIHunt Valley, MD
Jackson Heights, NYLeasburg, NCLexington, NC
Liberty, NCLinwood, NCLittle Neck, NY
Ludlow, CAMacomb, MIMarysville, MI
Maspeth, NYMemphis, MIMercedes, TX
Middle Village, NYMission, TXModesto, CA
Moreno Valley, CAMorgantown, WVMount Clemens, MI
New Baltimore, MINew Haven, MINew York, NY
Newport News, VANorth Ridgeville, OHNorth Street, MI
Oakland Gardens, NYOlmito, TXPenitas, TX
Pharr, TXPhelan, CAPhiladelphia, PA
Pikesville, MDPinon Hills, CAPort Isabel, TX
Progreso, TXRedlands, CARego Park, NY
Rialto, CARidgewood, NYRimforest, CA
Riverdale, ILSaratoga, CASoquel, CA
Sparrows Point, MDStaten Island, NYTaylor, MI
Temperance, MITemple City, CATowson, MD
Trenton, MITres Pinos, CAUpland, CA
Virginia Beach, VAWalnut, CAWatsonville, CA
Wayne, MIWestland, MIWhitestone, NY
Whitmore Lake, MI
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