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.