Balloon Flower Platycodon grandiflorus
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- plat-ee-KOH-don gran-dih-FLOR-us
- Description
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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.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Courtyard Garden Sun to Shade Garden in Craven County Backyard Patio
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Astra Blue'
- 'Astra Blue'
- 'Astra Blue'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Astra Blue'
- 'Astra Blue'
- 'Astra Blue'
- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Small groups
