Chinese lanterns: these tiny, brightly colored replicas of paper lanterns are one of the season's delights. Grow them as a garden novelty or to dry for autumn bouquets

Flower & Garden Magazine, Oct-Nov, 1993 by B.E. Kostich

When You See Vivid Orangered husks decorating the late summer garden, you are most likely seeing the Chinese lantern plant, Physalis alkekengi. These plants are often simply called physalis, a name derived from the Greek word for bladder. As a member of the nightshade family, physalis is related to tomatoes, peppers and petunias.

The ribbed, lanternlike bladders are actually enlarged sepals that have fused together to envelop the forming fruit. Tear one open and you will discover the fruit, resembling a cherry tomato. Inside the smooth, shiny skin the thick flesh is embedded with a rich harvest of seeds.

The bright husk guards the fruit as it dehydrates in the fall air. Gradually, it becomes paper thin and begins to break down to a delicate, lacy veiling. When this covering finally rips open, the seeds are sufficiently light and dry to be scattered by the wind.

Physalis is a vigorous perennial, capable of escaping cultivation or becoming a nuisance in the flower bed. It spreads by way of creeping rhizomes. These horizontal stems scramble about below the surface and produce an amazing number of offspring. Chopping or pulling up the plants leaves pieces of rhizomes lurking in the soil to sprout again.

Before including physalis in a bed with other plants, restrict its root area with an underground barrier. This will assist in restraining the rhizomes' underground march. The invasive characteristic can be used to advantage, however, in helping to anchor soil exposed to erosion.

In its first year, physalis grows slowly, eventually reaching 2 feet. Its beauty begins to appear in the second summer when it flowers from spring into summer. The delicate, five-petaled blossoms are creamy white with bright yellow anthers. They soon are replaced by tiny green bladders that expand like balloons until they are nearly 2 inches in diameter.

As summer ends, the husks begin turning the vivid color for which the plant is so prized. Rows of bright orange-red (and sometimes golden yellow) lanterns begin showing through the shrinking foliage. Let them stay on the plant as long as possible, since the husks will not produce their full color if they are removed while green. The stems remain stiff and straight, miniature lanterns firmly attached.

As soon as the color change is complete, cut the stems and dry them carefully. Remove the dried leaves before using the stems in dry arrangements. With careful handling the bladders will retain their striking color for several seasons. Lanterns left on the plant add their fascinating beauty to the fall flower garden and last well into winter.

Physalis does well throughout much of the United States. It prefers full sun, except in the very hottest regions, where it is happier with some shade. It is very tolerant as to soil type, but grows best in a moist, well-drained environment. If chewing insects such as flea beetles become a problem, discourage them with a dusting of rotenone. Physalis can also attract whiteflies; keep them under control with regular applications of insecticidal soap.

The Chinese lantern plant will repay the minimum of care it requires by producing flaming lanterns year after year. Seeds are available from W. Atlee Burpee & Co., 300 Park Ave., Dept. FG, Warminster, PA 18974 (free catalog); or Park Seed Co., Cokesbury Road, Dept. FG, Greenwood, SC 29647 (free catalog). Burpee also sells physalis plants.