California Gardens - The Year Round Gardening Site

Platycodon grandiflorus - Balloon Flower

Platycodon grandiflorus is a mid to back border beauty. The Balloon Flower grows 2-3 feet tall. There are a number of dwarf varieties that grow half that height. The emerging flowers expand like a balloon as they get ready to open. Platycodon grandiflorus cultivars vary from blue, purple, pink, and white, and even blue and white stripes. The Balloon Flower blooms from late Spring through Summer. Overhead water can knock over the flowering stalks some support that will keep Platycodon grandiflorus upright helps tremendously. The Balloon Flower prefers some afternoon protection from the sun in our area. Platycodon grandiflorus goes almost completely dormant in the Winter, particularly in colder climates. Platycodon grandiflorus is Winter hardy to zone 3.

Platycodon grandiflorus, Balloon Flower

Blue flowers of Platycodon grandiflorus - Balloon Flower. High resolution photos are part of our garden image collection.

Platycodon grandiflorus, Balloon Flower

Blue flowers of Platycodon grandiflorus - Balloon Flower. High resolution photos are part of our garden image collection.

Other back border beauties for your Perennial Garden:
Cosmos sulfureus
Digitalis mertonense
Echinacea purpurea
Oenothera elata hookeri
Pelargonium cordifolium
Rudbeckia Tiger Eye