Best of the bunch

Physalis alkekengi THIS looks its best late season when it’s finished flowering.

Wonderful orange red papery bracts surround the developing seed giving it the appearance, and its common name, of a Chinese lantern.

They remain attractive even as the papery lanterns decay and become skeletonised.

Physalis is a favourite with flower arrangers who cut stems and hang them upside down for drying indoors.

If you’d like to grow this herbaceous perennial, I’d recommend doing so in a container as it’s very invasive, being happy in most soils in sun or partial shade. The fruit is toxic so one to avoid if you have pets or young children.