Family: Solanaceae

This genus of some 80 species, originally from Asia, Australia, Mexico and North America, includes the beautiful Chinese lantern plant, with its brilliant red, air-filled calyces, and Cape gooseberry, with its small, yellow, edible fruits. The fruits enclosed in the 'lanterns' retain their colour when dried and make good Christmas decorations. All species make excellent pot or tub plants.

Species

P. alkekengi, bladder cherry or Chinese lantern plant, zone 6, is a hardy perennial which grows to 60 cm (24 in) tall, and produces cream, bell-shaped flowers. The very showy fruit consists of a single, scarlet berry enclosed in a bright red, papery calyx. Cultivar 'Gigantea' has very large calyces; 'Pygmaea' is a dwarf form, which grows to 20 cm (8 in).

P. ixocarpa, tomatillo, zone 8, is an annual from Mexico, growing to over 1 m (3 ft) and producing yellow flowers and purple, sticky, edible fruit.

P. peruviana, Cape gooseberry, zone 9, is an attractive plant with gray-green leaves, which produces yellow, edible fruits. The summer flowers are blotched with shades of yellow and purple. The dwarf Cape gooseberry, P. pruinosa, zone 5, is an annual, which grows to around 50 cm (20 in), and produces yellow, bell-shaped flowers and edible, yellow fruits.

Cultivation

These plants like rich, well-drained soil and a sunny or partially shaded position, with protection from wind. Water well during summer and feed with liquid fertilizer. The Cape gooseberry is a perennial, but is grown as a summer annual in a cool greenhouse in cool and cold climates. Sow seeds in spring in a heated propagating case. Pot up seedlings, then when large enough, plant out in a soil border or in large individual pots. Propagate the hardy perennials by division every three years, or raise them from seeds sown in spring, in a garden frame.

Climate

There are species suited to various climatic zones.