Physalis alkekengi
Chinese Lantern Plant
Solanaceae
Annuals, Perennials
From Europe, Asia. Grows 1 1/2 to 3 ft. tall. Angular branches are set with long-stalked, light green, oval, 2- to 3-in.-long leaves. Small, star-shaped white flowers appear in leaf joints during summer; these are followed by inedible berries, each enclosed in a colorful, inflated, papery 2-inch husk—the enlarged calyx of the flower. Dry, leafless stalks hung with these “Chinese lanterns” make choice winter arrangements.
Sow seeds in light soil in spring. Plant is clump forming, spreading widely by long, creeping, whitish underground stems; can become invasive. Increase established plantings by digging and dividing the roots.
Penstemon hybrid
Perennials in Zones 6–9, 14–24; treated as annuals elsewhere (grow as a winter annual in Z...
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Mexican native related to California poppy (Eschscholzia). Bushy, open grower 2 to 3 ft. high...
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Wild species (for which seed is available) grows 2 to 4 ft. tall (possibly to 6 ft. under ideal condit...
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