Physalis alkekengii is a perennial grown for ornamental ground cover and valued in gardens for its seasonal display. It is native from southern Europe through South Asia to northeast Asia and flowers from July to October. Best planted in well-drained but moist soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH, it suits full sun or partial shade in a sheltered spot. All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.

Chinese Lantern (Physalis alkekengii) is a perennial ornamental ground cover that flowers from July to October and is toxic if ingested.

Alkekengi is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family Solanaceae with a single species Alkekengi officinarum. This species is native to the regions covering Southern Europe to South Asia and Northeast Asia.

Physalis alkekengii

Chinese Lantern (Physalis alkekengii) | Garden Groundcover

Physalis franchetii is a species in the nightshade family (Solanaceae) notable for the papery calyx that partly or fully encloses its fruit. As a Physalis, it belongs to a group of herbaceous plants whose fruits are often edible. Flowering occurs from July to October, and the lantern-like husks are the plant's most obvious feature through late summer and autumn. The genus includes species cultivated worldwide and native to the Americas and Australasia.

Chinese Lantern (Physalis franchetii) produces lantern-like papery husks around its fruit and flowers from July to October.

Physalis is a genus of approximately 75 to 90 flowering plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), which are native to the Americas and Australasia. At least 46 species are endemic to Mexico.

Physalis franchetii

Chinese Lantern (Physalis franchetii) | Winter Cherry

Physalis franchetii 'Gigantea' is a cultivar of Physalis notable for the genus's papery calyx that partly or completely encloses the fruit. Its flowers appear from July to October and develop into the lantern-like husks typical of Physalis. The plant belongs to the nightshade family and shares the upright, herbaceous form common to its relatives. Many species in the genus are grown for their edible fruit.

Physalis franchetii 'Gigantea' is a Physalis cultivar whose flowers appear July to October and develop into distinctive papery lantern-like calyces.

Physalis franchetii 'Gigantea'

Physalis franchetii 'Gigantea' | Winter Cherry Lantern

Physalis philadelphica 'Violet Tomatillo' is a bushy, spreading cultivar of the Physalis genus, which includes both annuals and rhizomatous perennials with simple or pinnately lobed foliage. This cultivar features green leaves and produces small, bell-shaped flowers in the leaf axils, followed by edible, ornamental berries enclosed in enlarged calyces. It thrives in full sun on a south-facing, sheltered aspect, preferring well-drained, neutral loam soil. Hardy to UK zone H4, it is best planted after the last frost and can be propagated by seed or division, with interest mainly in spring and summer.

Physalis philadelphica 'Violet Tomatillo' is a bushy, spreading plant with edible fruit and ornamental value, thriving in full sun and hardy to RHS H4.