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Chinese latern ? Invasive in Cornwall
CornishClare
Posts: 60
in Plants
Hi
I have just had an impulse buy if Chinese lantern seeds, having googled there are lots of American sites warning of it's invasive nature - has anyone got any advise as to if it would be a problem in SW England?
thanks
Clare
0
Posts
these?
http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/physalis-alkekengi-var-franchetii/classid.3446/
Yes, they're invasive. I wouldn't put them in a small garden or with plants that can't compete.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Yep may be one for a big pot then, oh well
Thanks
I saw some in a pot at an open garden, they looked great. You could have them in a prominent position when the seed capsules colour up and more out of the way the rest of the year
In the sticks near Peterborough
Might try in a pot with some red and dark green leaved trailing nasturtiums
Clare
On my allotment plots someone previously thought it was a good idea to dot around several areas of Speedwell. I have been trying to eradicate them for three years now but to no avail. They pop up everywhere and seem to thrive even where there is no soil, hiding in nooks and crannies ready to distribute their seed on the wind!
If my sown plants behaved the same way I would be very, very happy.
Ah, they are lovely though. They're great for winter interest when you get left with the skeletal frame on the 'lanterns'. If a plant is going to be invasive I don't mind too much as long as it's something I really like and I can keep on top of the thinning out. I've grown some from seed and kept them in pots for the last couple of years but they haven't flowered. I've since transferred them to the garden so they can start going for it properly.
thanks for the info, will see how it goes in pots first, then may let them loose. Funny how down here in Cornwall we can see some plants grown in uk as invasive whereas they are cultivated in the 'mainland!'
I alway remember covering harts tongue firns until I lived down here and got overrun with the things !
Cx
cornishclare, you are blessed with a wonderful climate for growing plants. I'd put it as sub-tropical. You are kissed by the Gulf Stream. (North Atlantic Gyre for the pedants. LoL) I think you could even grow "Morning Glory as a perennial. My sister, also in the same area, treats freesias exactly as I treat daffs and they flower year after year. You have the earliest "early" pots. However that means that plants don't get the normal "check" that cold Winters provide. That's why some of our cherished plants are a pain where you live.
Stratify in warmer climes. Got marigolds still flowering though so
Give and take. Thanks for replying
Cx