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Cape Gooseberry
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Cape Gooseberry

Physalis peruviana

This Product will be available May / June 2012, but can be pre-ordered now.
Click here for information on Pre-Ordering.

Supplied as compost block grown plants.

Originating from Peru, Physalis peruviana became commonly known as the Cape Gooseberry due to its rise in popularity and cultivation in South Africa in the 1800's. It is now known under a variety of names - Golden Berry, Giant Ground Cherry, Peruvian Ground Cherry, Peruvian Cherry, Poha, Jam Fruit, Uvula, Chua - the list is almost endless, but in our opinion none do true justice to the lovely cheerful fruit.

Following pretty yellow flowers with a chocolate blotch centre, the bright orange yellow fruits are produced - not that you would know as each is formed within a delicate papery pod. Whilst the papery pods make the fruit extremely decorative (and so a popular exotic garnish for restaurant desserts) the husk actually serves a more important purpose in that picked fruit left within the husk will have a 'shelf life' of a month or more at room temperature.

With a gorgeously sweet flavour these are perfect for eating raw and are great in fruit salads; in some parts of the world they are often served with Avocado. They are also wonderful for making pies or jam with.

Supplied as compost block grown plants.

For a little more in depth information on Cape Gooseberry you may find the following article of great use...
What's A Compost Block Grown Plant?

Back to Tender & Exotic Fruits

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How To Grow Cape Gooseberries

Plant outside from May until late August.
Plant 2'6" apart by 15" apart (75cm x 36cm) in a full sun position and well drained soil.
As these are not hardy in the UK, many treat them as an annual which is such shame. We would suggest lifting before first frosts, potting into a large container and over-wintering in a frost free greenhouse or similar; of course due to their tenderness they are a perfect subject for container growing.

Perhaps Caroline Dewar will find Physalis growing wild in their native habitat when she visits Peru on her Peru Expedition? What's all this about? - Caroline Dewar, daughter of the principals of our web-hosting company, is taking on the world by undertaking a Charity Expedition to Peru in the Summer of 2011. Read all about her plans for the trip at Peru Expedition and what she hopes to achieve - and perhaps help her by donating a little money towards the £3475 she needs to raise.