Balloon Flower {Platycodon grandiflorus} Florist Choice! Toraji | Showy Perennial | Cutting | 50+ seeds Free Shipping US seller

 

Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) is one of those fun plants 

to grow in the garden with kids. Balloon flowers get their name from 

the unopened buds, which swell up prior to opening and resemble little 

hot-air balloons. Kids are fascinated by these plants and will typically 

pop them for sport by squeezing the sides, making them burst open with a 

soft, popping sound. Growing balloon flowers with children can be quite fun. 

The opened flowers resemble those of bellflowers, their kissing cousin. 

While most often deep blue or purple, white and pink varieties are also 

available. Depending on where you are, the balloon flower may also be known 

as Chinese or Japanese bellflower. Growing Balloon Flowers The balloon plant 

is easy to grow and hardy in USDA Zones 3 through 8. It will thrive in sun or 

partial shade. It likes well-drained, slightly acidic soil; and although the 

balloon flower plant will tolerate dry conditions, it prefers (and needs) 

plenty of moisture. This cold hardy plant also prefers cooler conditions in 

summer, so afternoon shade is a good idea for warmer regions. Seeds can be 

directly sown in the garden or started indoors in early spring. It is not 

necessary to cover seeds; simply moisten the area and within a couple weeks 

you should have sprouts. Thin these to about a foot (31 cm.) apart. Generally, 

balloon flowers bloom within the same season they are sown. Caring for a Balloon 

Plant Not only are they easy to grow, but these plants are easy to care for as 

well. If desired, they can be fertilized with a slow-release fertilizer in 

spring. From there, you simply water as needed.

 

 

Type: Herbaceous perennial

Family: Campanulaceae

Zone: 3 to 8

Height: 1.00 to 2.50 feet

Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet

Bloom Time: June to August

Bloom Description: Purple-blue

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Water: Medium

Maintenance: Low

Flower: Showy

Garden locations

Culture

Best grown in light, medium moisture, organically rich, well-drained loams 

in full sun to part shade. Avoid wet or poorly-drained soils. Plants are 

easily grown from seed. Division and transplanting are possible but tricky 

because of the fragile, fleshy root systems of these plants, and it is 

probably best to leave plants undisturbed once established. Deadheading spent 

flowers generally prolongs the bloom period. New season plant stems emerge 

late in spring, so gardeners must be careful not to damage crowns by early 

cultivation (leaving old plant stems in place throughout winter to the point 

when the new growth first appears helps mark plant locations). Taller plants 

often need to be staked because of floppy stems. Consider cutting back plant 

stems by 1/2 in May to reduce plant height and possibly avoid staking.

 

Noteworthy Characteristics

Platycodon grandiflorus, commonly called balloon flower, is a clump-forming 

perennial that is so named because its flower buds puff up like balloons before 

bursting open into outward-to-upward-facing, bell-shaped flowers with five pointed 

lobes. Plants are native to slopes and meadows in China, Japan, Korea and Siberia. 

Purple-blue flowers (to 2-3” across) bloom throughout summer, singly or in small c

lusters, atop stems typically growing to 30” tall. Ovate to lance-shaped, toothed, 

blue-green leaves (to 2” long).

 

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Root rot may occur in overly moist soils. Watch for slugs and snails.

 

Uses

Rock gardens or border fronts. Containers. Edging.