Chinese lantern flowers: Pumpkin-esque and easy to grow

October 27, 2010

Perusing their local flower shops or grocery stores, flower enthusiasts may have come across certain bright orange buds that resemble tiny pumpkins. The blooms are said to represent good fortune and blessings, according to FlowerstothePeople.com, are called Chinese lanterns.

Members of the potato family, the flowers are ideal for the fall season. They are also referred to as Japanese lanterns, Chinese bell flowers or bladder cherries.

The plants have been used used for culinary and medicinal purposes, and are harvested for their fruit, which has twice the Vitamin C of a lemon and resembles a cherry tomato, according to HerbCompanion.com. The plant's leaves historically have been used to prevent fever, promote early labor and reduce inflammations.

Gardeners who would like to plant these majestic flowers will need to seed them during the late springtime in an area that receives no more than eight hours of sunshine a day. The flowers are otherwise low-maintenance, which means that dropped seeds can lead to additional plants.

Chinese lantern stalks also make an excellent addition to dried flower arrangements, according to GardenGuides.com. To dry them, simply hang them upside down in a dark room for two weeks.

This article is brought to you by Teleflora - a leader in the flower delivery service for over 75 years. Teleflora helps its customers buy flowers online and specializes in bringing the freshest available flowers for a variety of holidays and occasions - all hand-delivered in keepsake vases by the best local florists.

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