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 clusters, 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.