Plant DetailShow Menu

Balloon Flower Platycodon grandiflorus

Phonetic Spelling
plat-ee-KOH-don gran-dih-FLOR-us
Description

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:
  • 'Astra Blue'
'Astra Blue'
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#white flowers#summer flowers#deer resistant#spring interest#partial shade tolerant#HS302#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Astra Blue'
'Astra Blue'
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#white flowers#summer flowers#deer resistant#spring interest#partial shade tolerant#HS302#perennial
  • 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