Platycodon grandiflorus

Hakone Double balloon flowers bear double, 2-3 in. wide flowers atop 15-24 in. tall stems. Plants bloom from June to August. Hakone Double balloon flowers usually do not require support. If you feel plants would be better served with a shoulder to lean on, a 14-18 in. tall tomato-type cage will do the trick nicely. Winter hardy to zone 3.

Balloon Flower Seeds

Balloon Flowers are easy to grow, long-lived perennials. Long-lasting star-shaped flowers emerge from balloon-like buds in summer. Balloon flower plants will occasionally repeat bloom in the fall when old flowers are removed.

Astra Series

Large, interesting balloon-like buds burst open into long-lasting, 3 in. wide star-shaped flowers. The dwarf growing, 8-12 in. tall plants are exceptionally bushy and branching, blooming heavily in summer.

Astra series balloon flowers thrive in part sun or light shade. Plants are quite long-lived in most areas of the U.S., and bloom the first year. Astra balloon flowers are perfect for edging borders, or use in patio containers and window boxes. Winter hardy to zone 4.

Hakone Double Series

Hakone Double balloon flowers bear double, 2-3 in. wide flowers atop 15-24 in. tall stems. Plants bloom from June to August. Hakone Double balloon flowers usually do not require support. If you feel plants would be better served with a shoulder to lean on, a 14-18 in. tall tomato-type cage will do the trick nicely. Winter hardy to zone 3.

Fuji Series

This 2-3 ft. tall perennial is wonderful planted in part shade or light shade. Plants will produce balloon-like buds which open into 2 in. flowers from June to August. The Fuji series of balloon flowers usually will not need support. Winter hardy to zone 3.

The taller balloon flowers in the Fuji series and the Hakone series grow nicely with Milkmaid butterfly weed, Sterntaler coreopsis, Giant Yellow Herold foxglove, Mystica penstemon, and Blue Cap sea holly.

How to Plant and Grow Balloon Flower

Plant Balloon Flower Seeds: Sow seeds in 2 in. pots or cell packs, press into soil but do not cover. Seed needs light to germinate. Kept at 65-70°F., germination is in 21-30 days. Seedlings are fragile, must be handled with care. Transplant seedlings into the garden 1-1.5 ft. apart.

Grow Balloon Flower: Plants prefer part sun to light shade and regular water. Perform well in containers. Taller balloon flower varieties provide excellent cut flowers. To preserve vase-life of blooms, sear stem end with match immediately after cutting. Provide support for tall Fuji and Hakone series balloon flowers; plant in large groups, plants provide support for each other. Or use tomato-type cages to keep plants upright.

Balloon flower plants do not like to be disturbed, rarely need to be divided. Favorite plants can be propagated from cuttings. May self sow. Balloon flower plants appear late in the spring, mark location to avoid disturbing. When old flowers are removed, balloon flowers will occasionally bloom again in early fall. Easy-to-grow, low maintenance plants are deer resistant.

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Platycodon grandiflorus

Balloon flower gets its common name from the unopened flower buds which resemble hot air balloons. Children love to grow this plant for the balloon-like buds which pop when squeezed. The name “Platycodon” means “flat bell”, which aptly describes the opened flowers.

It grows best in full sun to partial shade and well-drained, slightly acidic soil. An easy plant to grow from seed. Division and transplanting are difficult due to the fragile fleshy root system; however, if needed, division should be done in spring. Deadheading will prolong the bloom season.

• Attributes: Genus: Platycodon Species: grandiflorus Family: Campanulaceae Life Cycle: Perennial Recommended Propagation Strategy: Division Seed Country Or Region Of Origin: China, Korea, Japan, Russia Dimensions: Height: 1 ft. 0 in. – 2 ft. 0 in. Width: 1 ft. 0 in. – 1 ft. 6 in.

• Whole Plant Traits: Plant Type: Perennial Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Deciduous Habit/Form: Clumping Maintenance: Low

• Cultural Conditions: Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours) Soil Texture: Loam (Silt) Soil pH: Acid ( <6.0) Soil Drainage: Good Drainage Available Space To Plant: 12 inches-3 feet NC Region: Coastal Mountains Piedmont USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

• Flowers: Flower Color: Blue White Flower Value To Gardener: Good Cut Showy Flower Bloom Time: Spring Summer Flower Shape: Bell Flower Petals: 4-5 petals/rays Flower Size: 1-3 inches Flower Description: Outward and upward-facing, bell-shaped with five pointed lobes. Blooms in late spring to summer.

• Leaves: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Deciduous Leaf Color: Blue Green Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Arrangement: Alternate Whorled Leaf Shape: Lanceolate Ovate Leaf Margin: Doubly Serrate Hairs Present: No Leaf Length: 1-3 inches Leaf Description: Toothed, blue-green leaves.

• Stem: Stem Is Aromatic: No

• Landscape: Landscape Location: Container Patio Slope/Bank Walkways Landscape Theme: Cottage Garden Rock Garden Design Feature: Accent Border Small groups

Platycodon grandiflorus

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