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   Golden Lanterns®  Leycesteria formosa 'Notbruce' ppaf, cpaf

A splashy new plant with brightly colored golden heart shaped leaves and pendulous white and burgundy flowers.

Commonly known a Pheasant Berry, this gold-leaf version is a real show stopper.

In the South it is a shrub and in the north it behaves like a perennial dieing back to the ground each winter. In the spring it quickly grows back and blooms all summer long.

It is best used as you would a perennial or annual, mixed into a colorful border or used as a patio container plant.

What People are saying ...

This plant is the most gorgeous plant that I have ever seen, (flower or no flower). I am a lover of lime green and I am in love with this plant. My neighbor and I brought this plant at the same time and she is also very in love with this plant. The color is breathtaking, it tolerated planting very well, appears very adaptable and easy to care for. It is the most refreshing plant that I have in my huge garden of just about everything. I am known as the flower lady in my neighborhood and I am so excited on watching this beautiful shrub grow in my garden. Definitely an all star. - Selina, Zone 6

Golden Lantern was/is by far my favorite plant, however there was only one plant out of three that made it through the Utah winter. My advice is to make sure the plant is mulched well to help protect it through the cold season. This plant is dainty looking but hardy and beautiful. This season I am going to try using the plants in boxes to see if it helps them to live longer. - Debbie, Zone 6

Share your experience: Rate how has this variety has performed in your garden.

Hardiness:  USDA Zone 6 if mulched. Behaves as a shrub in zones 7 and warmer, and as a perennial in zone 6. Can be used as an annual patio or container plant in colder climates.

Bloom Time:  Mid-summer to frost  

Bloom Color:  Pendulous, white flowers with dark purplish red bracts 

Foliage:  Bright yellow with reddish new growth 

Fruit:  Dark purple 

Size:  3-5 feet tall and wide 

Exposure:  Full sun to partial shade  

Soil: Any fertile soil. Thrives in moist soils. In Northern climates requires a thick covering of mulch. 

Pruning: Best if done in late fall or early spring. Tolerant of hard pruning.

Watering: Moist well drained soils. 

Wildlife: Butterflies, birds & bees.

Type: Deciduous – behaves like a perennial in the north.

Fertilizing: Can be fertilized in early spring by applying a slow release fertilizer specialized for trees & shrubs. Follow the label for recommended rate of application. Some say feeding is not required. Plant has excellent vigor on its own.  

Uses: Patio plant, specimen, perennial or shrub borders, containers.

Other: Edible berries taste like caramel or chocolate. Not bothered often by birds. Stems are hollow like bamboo and were used to create flutes in Asia. Best if planted in Spring.

A great addition to the perennial border, Leycesteria is an easy growing plant with lots of color.  GOLDEN LANTERNS’ sunny yellow foliage has reddish new growth.  Dark purple-red bracts and 4” long, pendulous flowers make it even more colorful. 

Also called pheasant berry, the dark purple fall fruit does indeed attract pheasants and other wildlife.

Breeder: Mr. Bruce Barber, UK

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