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Groundcherry- strawberry in the GardenTags plant encyclopedia

Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii

 

Groundcherry- strawberry

The Physalis genus contains annuals, both hardy and tender and herbaceous perennials. As well as adding colour to an informal border, the fruits retain their colour when dried for winter floral arrangements. Plant in a sunny site in any soil and to contain the roots, it is best to plant in a large pot, buried in the ground. Physalis Franchetii is a spreading perennial with mid-green heart-shaped foliage. It bears tiny creamy-white flowers and orange lantern-like berry cases which appear in the autumn.

 
plant Features
  • Groundcherry- strawberry likes full sun to partial shade

    Full sun to partial shade

  • Groundcherry- strawberry likes very little water

    Very little water

  • Groundcherry- strawberry is full frost hardy: 5f (-15°c)

    Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)

  • Groundcherry- strawberry likes free draining

    Free draining

 
plant information

Common name

Groundcherry- strawberry

Latin name

Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii

type

Herbaceous Perennials

family

Solanaceae

ph

5.6 - 7.8 Acid - Neutral

  • Light

    Groundcherry- strawberry likes full sun to partial shade

    Full sun to partial shade

  • Frost

    Groundcherry- strawberry is full frost hardy: 5f (-15°c)

    Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)

  • Soil

    Groundcherry- strawberry likes free draining

    Free draining

  • Water

    Groundcherry- strawberry likes very little water

    Very little water

Plant & bloom calendar

  •  
    Best time to plant
  •  
    When the plant will bloom
  •  
    When to harvest

full grown dimensions

The size of a fully grown Groundcherry- strawberry is 0.90meters x 0.70meters 0.90 M 0.70 M

Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii

The Physalis genus contains annuals, both hardy and tender and herbaceous perennials. As well as adding colour to an informal border, the fruits retain their colour when dried for winter floral arrangements. Plant in a sunny site in any soil and to contain the roots, it is best to plant in a large pot, buried in the ground. Physalis Franchetii is a spreading perennial with mid-green heart-shaped foliage. It bears tiny creamy-white flowers and orange lantern-like berry cases which appear in the autumn.


Propagation by Seed

From Mid Spring TO Mid Spring

Fill a seed tray with seed compost, water and allow to drain. Sprinkle seeds over the surface and do not cover, as they need light to germinate.They also need heat - around 70 - 75 deg.F. Put tray in a clear polythene bag and place on a windowsill. When seedlings show remove plastic bag. When the second pair of leaves appear on the seedlings thin out to 50 mm spacing by removing the weakest looking plants. After 2 or 3 weeks and when danger of frost has passed plants can then be planted outside into required position.

 

Flowering

From Mid Summer TO Mid Summer

Tiny, creamy-white flowers from mid-summer followed by bright orange-scarlet berries enclosed by papery, red lanterns. Chinese lanterns are perfect for providing autumn interest in well-drained areas of the garden. The papery lanterns make wonderful dried flower arrangements.

 

Planting

From Early Spring TO Mid Spring

Plant container plants in a sunny or partially shaded position in any well drained soil. To prevent them from becoming invasive try cutting a slit trench around the crown of the plant with a spade each autumn.

 

Propagation by division

From Early Spring TO Mid Spring

To check the spread of underground stems cut the area round the crown of the plant with a spade each autumn. Lift and divide congested colonies in spring. Using a fork dig up plant, try to keep the root ball as complete as possible. Split the root ball at the centre with a sharp knife or a spade. Replant the plants to the same depth as the original and keep well watered until established.

 
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