This plant is hardy in zones 3 to 8, and it will thrive in temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 ºF. It is a pink balloon flower with large, pale pink flowers and deeper tinged pink veins. Cultivation. This plant is also fairly successful in self-seeding, so you can benefit from extra balloon flowers for no effort at all. Platycodon grandiflorus 'Zwerg' Sku #2098 Unique flowers are rounded, balloon-like, before opening to deep blue star-like blooms. Balloon flowers come in a number of attractive varieties, though none will bloom the first year. If you plan on growing these fun flowers in your garden, the seeds need to be directly sown in the soil during the early spring months. Komachi – clear blue flowers and the bud swells to about 2 inches in diameter but never opens. Twelve balloon flower cultivars received high ratings for their strong habits, gener-ally upright stems, and good floral displays. ‘Hakone Blue’ variety has bright blue double flowers that can grow alone or in clusters on top of stems. The flowers have bluish veins inside that are clearly visible; they appear either alone, or in small clusters at the ends of stems. The seeds may or may not be kept covered; you need only dampen the area of plantation, and within a couple of weeks, a sprout will be visible. The balloon flower is a See more pictures of perennial flowers. Bee Plant Seed. Platycodon grandiflorus commonly known as Korean bellflower, Chinese bellflower, Japanese bellflower, common balloon flower, or balloon flower and Blue balloon flower is a species of herbaceous flowering perennial plant of the family Campanulaceae that includes bellflower and lobelia, and the only member of the genus Platycodon. Be careful not to cover the seeds over with soil or press them in too deep, as they need light in order to germinate. across (5-7 cm), adorned with 5 broad, pointed lobes that form a star shape. It is a perennial plant that can live for years on end. The plant grows to around 24 inches in height and is a variety that may need to be staked when mature. The flowers have five lobes that have a thick rubbery texture and are arranged in the shape of a star around another star-shaped filament arrangement. The bushy plants flower very quickly and throughout the summer, and the long-stemmed flowers are great for pruning and cutting. This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. Fuji – pink, white, blue blossoms on 2- to 3-foot plants. Apoyama– a 10- to 15-inch-tall dwarf with upright habit and violet flowers. This is a dwarf form of the plant with a deep purple color and rich veination. The plant can grow up to 24 or 30 inches in height and can be paired with other perennial flowers to create a beautiful ornamental flower bed. $5.49 shipping. A high-quality, well-draining soil with good organic content will encourage water to drain away from the roots, protecting the plant against root rot while ensuring it gets all of the moisture and nutrients it needs. ‘Platycodon’ is derived from Greek, with ‘platys’ meaning ‘broad,’ and ‘kodon’ meaning ‘bell.’ ‘Grandiflorus’ literally translates to large flowers. Growing to be about 6-12 inches tall, the ‘sentimental blue’ plant is a dwarf variety. When planting, make sure to barely cover the seeds with soil and allow them some full sun, and some partial shade. Hope you will want to buy some seeds this coming spring. These balloon flowers are another dwarf variety that grows up to 8 inches in height. It blooms for most of the summer months. Its small stature means that unlike many balloon flowers, it won’t need to be staked, yet still produces large, vibrant blue star-shaped flowers of up to three inches in diameter. Balloon flowers are mostly disease-free. Sentimental blue– only 6 to 9 inches tall with blue flowers from seed the first year. It will also help to prevent the flowering stems from becoming so tall that they need staking. Balloon flowers (Platycodon grandiflorus) are named because their bloom starts out looking like a purple, white or blue balloon, then it pops open to a wide bloom. Seed Needs, All Annual Wildflower Mixture (20 Species) 30,000 Seeds. We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Foliage Plant Seed. The scientific name actually translates to ‘broad bell,’ which is a good description of the flower. These plants form clumps on the ground, so they can also serve well as ground cover in flower beds. Cover Crop Seed. The flowers of this variety are slightly smaller than other balloon flowers, typically measuring two inches across, and appearing in a vibrant shade of blue with some darker blue veining. Especially good choice for containers, rock gardens or for edging. They can range from blue and pink to white, and can be cultivated to be as small as 6 inches high, and as tall as 24 inches. In popular culture, Platycodon is a symbol of friendship, and it can also symbolize eternal love and purity of spirit. These wonderful flowers have a balloon-like appearance when they bud from flower seed. Balloon flowers (Platycodon grandiflorus) live up to their names, with the buds appearing to inflate before they burst open to … It is native to East Asia (China, Korea, Japan, and the Russian Far East). The plant is deer resistant and grows well in most warm climates. Cultivation. This easy-care perennial gets its common name from its balloon-like buds that swell up just before they open. Balloon flowers belong to genus ‘Platycodon,’ and they are one of a kind: Unlike so many other genera of flower families, this one only has one species under its belt, the Platycodon grandiflorus. It asks little in the way of water once established, and while it loves to self-sow, well-chosen planting locations and adequate deadheading can minimize the effects of its exuberance. Taller varieties of balloon flower may start to flop over without adequate support. Each flower has five points and measures between two and three inches across. They look for all the world like huge, unopened buds, with neatly-drawn seams around each petal and a puffed-up, light-as-air form. Platycodon grandiflorus (from Ancient Greek πλατύς "wide" and κώδων "bell") is a species of herbaceous flowering perennial plant of the family Campanulaceae, and the only member of the genus Platycodon. Balloon Flower Seeds. The flowers are white with subtle striping hints of pink. Even the simple star-like petal pattern can be changed into a complex ten-petal one producing ‘double’ varieties. New plants need regular water while getting established, but then are pretty drought-tolerant. Because of these extraordinary qualities, balloon flowers have long been used in Chinese and Korean traditional medicine. This selection forms a compact mound of green foliage, bearing inflated buds that open into star-shaped single bright violet-blue blossoms. They are typically planted in fall and bloom in spring and summer. Balloon flowers typically won’t flower in their first year. There are a whole host of varieties to choose from if you are looking to invest in some balloon flowers, with all of them having plenty to offer the keen gardener. for 1+3, enter 4. There are ways you can naturally deter these pests from inhabiting your balloon flowers, such as planting garlic or chives nearby, which are slug and snail repellents. Typically, they can be found in growing zones three through nine, which covers the majority of the United States. The exception to this is slugs and snails, which can sometimes cause problems for the plant. A dwarf form perfect for containers or rock gardens. ‘Fairy Snow’ is a dwarf variety of the species that has white flowers, 1.5 inches in diameter. The pure blue flowers of balloon flower are a welcome sight in the late summer. Ornamental varieties produce rounded flowers in several colors, including rosy purple. Snails and slugs feast on the foliage of plants, leaving unsightly holes in your plant's leaves and negatively affecting their health. Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) is one of those fun plants to grow in the garden with kids. The succulent roots are cut up and added to salads and soups, used as tonic vegetables, peeled and pickled, and sometimes even preserved in a sugary syrup. The process of cultivation, however, is relatively easier than growing other plants and blooms stronger in the summer. It can be planted in gardens, but also does well as an indoor plant. Recommended Varieties of Balloon Flowers Astra series have double flowers in blue, pink or white. They're the tallest, too, reaching heights of 30 inches with flowers in blue, pink or white. These flowers are not hard to care for though they have some toxicity problems that you need to know. The stems of this plant emerge from the ground each spring but can be easily disturbed if you forget where they were planted. The plant would prefer to be in slightly acidic soil, ranging between 6 and 7 pH, though it will tolerate alkaline or neutral soil as well. Avoid heavy or waterlogged areas when planting the balloon flower as it will struggle to survive in these conditions. Your platycodon may be slow to emerge in the springtime. Balloon Flowers are summer-blooming cousins to the more familiar Bellflowers. Even though the medicinal and nutritional uses of the plant and its flowers are not as well known in this part of the world, their ornamental beauty and ease of care have motivated several homeowners to plant them. To keep the plant from getting leggy, you can trim the stems back by just a few inches, though be sure to do this after flowering has occurred to prevent inadvertently disturbing the flower production. Balloon flower is a not a fragile face in the crowd, but a sturdy-stemmed beauty that stands up to repeated deep pruning for a compact and manageable form. Although open flowers were not present in huge quantities at any time, floral produc-tion over the course of the bloom period was quite good. Balloon flower does best in full sun but some afternoon shade in the hottest zones is also preferable since it prefers cooler summer temperatures. The star-like arrangement of the flower petals gives way to local folklore and superstition, while also adding to its symbolic value in arts and culture. For their simple five-pointed inflorescence, these flowers are a favorite as garden ornaments and are often found blooming in parks and flower beds. Usually, unflavored hard alcohol is added that has a minimum 30% ABV as a base. The flowers are aesthetically pleasing and gratifying to grow. Although they are usually purple, they are often mixed with other species to produce several cultivars that can range from pink to white and blue. If you live in a hot climate, you should position this plant so that it receives morning sun but is sheltered in the afternoon from the intense heat. Platycodon Grandiflora Balloon flower seeds are available in blue, white, and rose. This is especially useful for people with weakened immune systems such as old people and children. The flowers are long-lived even after being cut, so they make great additions to cut flower arrangements. The plant is a hardy perennial that has stalks that reach 30 to 90 cm (1 to 3 feet) in height. To grow well, balloon flowers need plenty of light, but can grow sufficiently well in partial shade. Its dominant flower color is a dazzling blue, with white and pink forms to complete the palette. Fuji Blue is a medium variety of balloon flowers. Balloon flowers get their name from the unopened buds, which swell up prior to opening and resemble little hot-air balloons. The plant grows to be about 18-24 inches tall. Source: Chicago Botanical Garden The roots are used as a vegetable and if you are ambitious it gives you ingredients for Sake! The blooms of this plant are commonly known as balloon flowers because of the way the buds swell up like balloons, and then seemingly burst into starry bell-shaped flowers. Allow them to naturally drop to the ground when they are ready, and you should see a handful of new balloon flowers emerging next spring. It is also sung in China among the Korean descendants. Another song by the same name is known as Toraji in Japan. Have a look at all the different cultivars that can be derived from the single bellflower species. Spent flowers develop into seeds, some of which will be dispersed and settle into the soil where they will grow into new plants. Balloon flower Platycodon grandiflorus Jim Lawerence Flower and Bud Close Up (Cleveland County,NC)-Summer Dotty Leatherwood CC BY 4.0 emerging plant, spring, Durham County, NC Carol Tierney CC BY … Alternatively, you can sow seeds directly in the ground during late spring or summer. The height goes up to 24 inches, and the spacing between plants should be a minimum of 12 to optimize and promote growth. The leaves are lance-shaped, and the flowers bloom throughout the summer with minimal upkeep. Suggested uses. They're a good choice to start from seed. Are you ready to get festive by growing your own balloon flowers? However, the version currently sung is considered to be from the Gyeonggi Province since the rhythm and melody have tweaked to acquire different characteristics. Balloon Flower Seeds - Top Three Platycodon Grandiflora Varieties. This plant should be grown in well-draining loamy soil because it enjoys a good amount of moisture but does not like to be sitting in soggy soil. You will need to take care as balloon flowers have particularly delicate root systems, which, although fleshy, can be very easily damaged. It is usually happy in any well-drained soil but prefers loam. Flower Seeds. The plant is native to slopes and meadows in East Asia … Fuji Blue is a medium variety of balloon flowers. The flower still has the trademark balloon-shaped buds of genus Platycodon. Their namesake is the white, pink or blue flower bud that slowly puff sup like a hot air balloon. The soil, water, and sun needs are similar to other cultivars, and it is also deer resistant and perennial. Besides blue, balloon flower is also available in white and pink varieties. Once established, balloon flower is a … Keep the soil moist but not soggy and sit them in a bright and warm spot. Balloon flowers are hardy perennial in the campanula family. Some parts of this plant are toxic, namely the roots and the basal leaves. Some stems may need to be staked to prevent them from falling over when flowering, as stems tend not to be very strong and become more likely to bend over the taller they get. Dependably perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8, balloon flower tolerates both extreme cold and scorching summer heat. Growing balloon flowers with children can be quite fun. Vigorous and floriferous, Platycodon grandiflorus 'Fuji Blue' (Balloon Flower) is a compact herbaceous perennial which produces an abundance of bell-shaped, flaring, deep blue flowers, up to 2.5 in. These beautiful, colorful, very useful flowers are also called Chinese bellflowers, and they belong to the bellflower family Campanulaceae native to East Asian countries, including China, Korea, and Japan. The cultivars usually change in ornamental characteristics but can also sometimes switch other traits. The Apoyama is an erect, clump-forming perennial that has very thick roots and ovate, toothed leaves. You can deadhead the spent flowers if you wish, as this will encourage more flowers to bloom and result in a longer flowering season. Cultivars / Varieties: 'Astra Blue' 'Astra Blue' Tags: #white #showy flowers #full sun tolerant #blue #perennial #summer flowers #deer resistant #spring interest #partial shade tolerant #HS302 Add. The flowers are reliable bloomers and are available in white and various shades of blue and violet. If you want to get a head start on growing these plants, you can sow the seeds indoors in early spring. The plant is deer-resistant, mostly disease-resistant, and is not frequently a victim of insect infestations. Germination should occur within two weeks. However, slugs and snails need to be watched out for as these can sometimes cause a problem for the plant. There have been botanical studies comparing the different types of cultivars, their sustainability, and their popularity. In their various colors and forms, these striking flowers can provide you with an instant feeling of gratification whenever glanced at. Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Gravel, Rock. Christmas Tree Economics: Are Baby Boomers Killing the Christmas Tree Industry? All Products. It does not cope well with being moved, and as it is a smaller variety, it would be best grown directly in the container, which will also be its final home. When pressed areas when planting the balloon flower with double the violet-blue petals including! 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