Pheasant Berry 'Golden Lanterns'

Leycesteria formosa 'Golden Lanterns' is a striking and unusual deciduous shrub that brings exotic-looking colour and texture to the garden. This cultivar is notable for its bright, chartreuse-yellow foliage, which remains vibrant throughout the season and provides an excellent contrast for its flowers. From mid-summer to autumn, it produces pendulous racemes of small, white flowers surrounded by dramatic, beetroot-red bracts. These are followed by dark purple berries that are highly attractive to birds (though unpleasant for humans). The plant has an upright habit with attractive, hollow green stems that look good even in winter. It is fully hardy (H6) and remarkably easy to grow, tolerating a wide range of soils and even thriving in polluted or coastal environments. While it will grow in shade, the golden foliage is most intense when it receives a decent amount of sunlight. It can be pruned hard in spring to keep its size in check and encourage vigorous new growth.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Any moist but well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.