This is the most delicious annual fruit I’ve ever grown, bar none – and there are many I grow that I really like. I could plant an ocean of these things. Even though these are called ‘ground cherries’ there is not much overlap, these fruits are WAY bigger, closer to the size of apricots. The texture of the flesh is different too, these are more meaty like a plum but without a pit. Fruits also hang tightly to the plants and don’t fall, so should be cut from the branches. Hard to really describe what they taste like, but a really sweet clementine mixed with mango comes to mind. Just outstanding taste. The plants are quite large, 3 to 4 feet. Needs to be started about 10-12 weeks before planting out since these are somewhat later maturing. The fruits progress through various stages of ripeness, each one having different flavor nuances. Personally, at the height of ripeness I find there is a bit of a coconut taste, so I eat them earlier, when they’re more tart. As far as I’m concerned there is no better annual fruit out there that can be grown.
Schöenbrunn Ground Cherry Seeds
$4.50
This is the most delicious annual fruit I’ve ever grown, bar none – and there are many I grow that I really like. I could plant an ocean of these things. Even though these are called ‘ground cherries’ there is not much overlap, these fruits are WAY bigger, closer to the size of apricots. The texture of the flesh is different too, these are more meaty like a plum but without the pit. Fruits also hang tightly to the plants and don’t fall. Hard to really describe what they taste like, but a really sweet clementine mixed with mango comes to mind. Just outstanding taste. The plants are quite large, 3 to 4 feet. Needs to be started at the same time as tomatoes since these are somewhat later maturing. The fruits progress through various stages of ripeness, each one having different flavor nuances. Personally, add the height of ripeness I find there is a bit of a coconut taste, so I eat them earlier, when they’re more tart. As far as I’m concerned there is no better annual fruit out there that can be grown. Needs to be started 8 weeks before plant out. 2024 seed. (Picture is the Schöenbrunn ground cherry next to the Aunt Molly’s variety.)
A girl who plants seeds (verified owner) –
I ordered the “Schöenbrunn Ground Cherry Seeds” last spring.
The plants grew well here in northern Nova Scotia. They need a long season tho, many of the fruit did not ripen before frost.
But wow, the ones that did ripen were amazing! The flavor is very tropical, sweet, with a bit of tang! They are absolutely delicious, and my kids loved them!
I hope to grow them in the greenhouse next year. Also, I hear that the fruit will ripen if the plants are cut before frost, and set in a buckets of water. I wasn’t able to try this before the frost got the plants.
If I plant them in the garden, I will start them 10 weeks early, instead of 8.
These tropical treats were a family favorite in the chilly autumn days of October!
Tamara Clement –
I agree that an earlier start is probably better! I have only grown them for 2 seasons, and I do use electroculture in the patch so that might speed things up a bit for me as well. I’m still learning too about the species. Some European growers have reached out to me, and some gardeners there overwinter the plants in pots there, keeping them alive for a couple season in a row that way. It might be something I try in the future, since that would not only make for earlier ripening of fruits but it would also probably make even more fruit, and there is no such thing as too much fruit with this plant! Lol