Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
‘Astra Blue’ Dwarf Blue Balloon Flower is a dwarf form of the commonly known ‘Astra Blue’. The smaller Astra Blue Dwarf is the perfect well-behaved perennial to spruce up a mixed seasonal container or embellish a rock garden. The oversized flowers bloom nonstop from June to August to provide long-lasting color in the garden.
Balloon flowers are very cold tolerant and a great choice for gardens that have regular deer browsing. The flowers are rarely eaten by deer or rabbits, and the plant is generally disease- and pest-free. This easy-care perennial stays compact and dense, growing all season long without any need for deadheading.
Astra Dwarf Blue Balloon Flower Care
Plant Astra Dwarf Blue in a location with at least 4 hours of direct sun per day. Well-draining soil will help the plant grow healthy and free of any root issues. Fertilizing is only necessary once a year at the beginning of the growing season. Apply a balanced, extended-release fertilizer or a 1-2-inch layer of organic compost around the root zone.
Cut back the spent top growth of balloon flowers either in late fall or early in the spring. Deadheading is rarely required to encourage dwarf varieties to continue blooming, although plants can be cut back by half around midsummer to promote compact growth if necessary.
Astra Dwarf Blue Balloon Flower Spacing
Space Astra Dwarf Blue 8 inches apart when using it as a groundcover. This allows plants to fill in quickly and suppress weeds well. Balloon flowers planted in pots or mixed seasonal planters can be placed closer together, with 4-6 inches between plants.
Astra Blue Dwarf Balloon Flower Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 3 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Sun to Full Sun (5+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 6-11 Inches
- Mature Spread
- 1-2 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Mounded
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Blue
- Flower Description
- Blue, bell shaped with extra thick petals
- Bloom Time
- Summer
- Foliage Color
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Herbaceous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Balloon Flower
- Botanical Name
- Platycodon grandiflorus
- Brand
- Proven Selections
- Plant Type
- Perennial
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!