CHINESE LANTERN (PHYSALIS ALKEKENGI) DIY WREATH

Chinese lantern (Physalis alkekengi) is a perennial plant from Europe and Asia that’s hardy. I got a slip of this plant from my late uncle. I planted it my back garden about two years ago and actually forgot about it. Until it started to bloom. It’s papery orange blooms look like little lanterns set against vivid green foliage. The contrast is stunning, and the “lanterns” are fascinating! They are such a bright orange colour. You can buy these in any good garden centre.

I decided to cut them and use them to decorate my home. When I cut slips to put into a vase I don’t need water in the vase. They still keep their stunning orange colour.

Homemade Wreath

They are just beautiful at this time of year. When I cut them at first I was afraid they would loose their beautiful vibrant orange colour. But they don’t. The colour stays. I am obsessed with this plant. There are so many ways to use them in your home.

Gently pick off the lanterns

I gently handpicked lots of lanterns to make a wreath. I kept the stalk as I was threading through this part of the lantern with my sewing needle.

YOU WILL NEED:

Chinese Lantern (Physalis Alkekengi)
A metal hoop
Scissors
Invisible Thread
Long sewing needle

Items you need to make a wreath

I used invisible thread to darn my lanterns on to the wire. I looped each lantern round the hoop and tied a little knot at each lantern.

I found this hoop on a skip. I’m not sure what it was. I just saw it and grabbed it. I thought to myself I will make a wreath out of that.

The lanterns are very hardy although they look so fragile they are not. This is such a beautiful wreath. The orange really pops against my dark Boraspåpeter wallpaper.