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Annual Biennial

Nicandra physalodes

apple of Peru

A hardy annual with many, branched, erect, dark coloured stems to 1.2m and toothed, ovate green leaves to 10cm long, rather thin in texture. Short stalks produce short-lived, solitary pale blue or white flowers, opening in the middle of the day from June to October. Round, green-brown fruits are encased in green or black calcyes, similar to Chinese Lanterns, and can be dried for winter decorations

Other common names

apple of Sodom
Peruvian bluebell
see moreshoo-fly

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1 year

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Solanaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Nicandra is a monotypic genus in the potato family, Solanaceae
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Peru

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. Flowers are short-lived but the fruit is encased in ornamental lantern-like calyces and can be dried for winter decorations. See shoo-fly plant for further information and advice on how to control

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 15°C (59°F) in early spring or in situ in mid-spring; self-seeds freely and has the potential to become a nuisance if left unchecked

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Mediterranean climate plants
Cottage and informal garden
Wildflower meadow
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required; ideal for dried flower arranging

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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