Platycodon grandiflorus (Balloon Flower) #2
$19.99
Platycodon grandiflorus (Balloon Flower) is an upright clump-forming perennial featuring distinctive balloon-like buds that open into star-shaped blue, pink, or white flowers above neat blue-green foliage.
Disclaimer: The images for this plant are AI-generated and meant to give you an idea of what it could look like when fully grown. Every plant is unique, so colors, size, and shape may vary. We hope these images help you imagine your plant’s potential!
Description
Platycodon grandiflorus (Balloon Flower) is a long-lived, upright clump-forming perennial prized for its distinctive balloon-like buds and star-shaped summer flowers. Plants form tidy mounds of sturdy stems that emerge late in spring, creating a compact yet vertical presence well suited to borders and mixed perennial plantings. Inflated buds swell before opening into five-pointed, bell-shaped flowers that bloom from early to midsummer, often continuing intermittently into late summer.
Flowers are most commonly blue to violet-blue but are also available in shades of lavender, pink, and white depending on cultivar. The blooms contrast attractively with blue-green, lance-shaped foliage that has a clean, slightly glossy texture. Foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season before dying back in winter, as this species is deciduous in colder climates. Balloon flower performs well in perennial borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, and pollinator-friendly plantings, adding reliable color and unique floral interest.
Care Instructions
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Prefers full sun to light partial shade
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Thrives in average, well-drained soil; tolerates sandy or loamy conditions
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Water regularly during establishment; moderately drought tolerant once established
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Minimal maintenance; avoid frequent disturbance as plants develop deep taproots; cut back stems after frost
Key Features
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Unique balloon-like buds opening to star-shaped flowers
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Blue, violet, pink, or white blooms in early to midsummer
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Upright, clump-forming habit with tidy growth
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Attracts bees and other pollinators; generally deer resistant
