Items 1 to 6 of 6 total
Items 1 to 6 of 6 total
Balloon Flower
Uses:
- Mixed Borders
- Rock Gardens
- Container Gardens
Features:
- Low Maintenance
- Deer Resistant
- Heat & Cold Tolerant
Sunlight:
- Partial Shade to Full Sun
- More Flowers With More Sun
- 4+ Hours of Direct Sun
Growing Zones:
- 3-8
- What is My Zone?
Balloon Flowers are delightful perennial plants that are adaptable and easy to grow. The flower buds, in violet-blue or pink, swell and form balloons that open into star-shaped flowers. These beauties reliably bloom in sun or part shade and tolerate most soil types and climates.
About Balloon Flower
Genus
Species
Family
Platycodon
Platycodon grandiflorus
Campanulaceae
Common Names:
Chinese Bellflower, Japanese Bellflower
Native To:
East Asia, including China, Korea, Japan, and Siberia
Plant Type:
Perennials
Foliage Type:
Deciduous
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
3–9
Flower Color:
Blue (most common), pink, white, and purple shades
Flower Bloom Time:
Mid to late summer
Growth Habit:
Upright, clumping habit
Attracts:
Bees, butterflies
Tolerates:
Drought, Deer, Slightly acidic soil
Resists:
Deer, rabbits
How To Use Balloon Flowers In The Garden
Balloon flowers (Platycodon grandiflorus) are known for their unique buds that inflate like balloons before opening into star-shaped flowers. These perennials grow in clumps, reaching up to 30 inches, and are hardy, requiring little maintenance once established. They thrive in well-drained soil with full to partial sun, making them a practical yet attractive addition to gardens.
In the garden, balloon flowers add height and continuous summer color to borders. They also fit well in rock gardens due to their adaptability and low water needs. Suitable for container planting, these perennials are perfect for small spaces and make excellent cut flowers for arrangements.
Balloon Flowers Care
Plant Balloon Flowers in spring in rich, well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade for optimal growth. Water consistently during early growth, keeping the soil evenly moist. Once established, they can tolerate occasional drought but bloom better with regular watering. Fertilize with a balanced mix in late winter or early spring.
Prune lightly in late spring to encourage bushier growth and deadhead spent flowers for continuous blooms. In fall, cut back dead stems to the ground. For container growth, use well-draining pots with rich, loamy soil and water more frequently than garden plants. Apply monthly liquid fertilizer to maintain healthy blooms.
Learn More About Balloon Flowers
Balloon Flower Companion Plants
Companions should relish full or dappled sun, soil that sheds winter water yet stays lightly moist in summer, and no fuss beyond an annual compost mulch. Ninebark rises behind the clumps with burgundy foliage that sets off Platycodon’s cool blues and likes the same free-draining ground, while lobelias extend the nectar buffet after the balloons deflate and keep color rolling into fall. Along the bed’s edge, Japanese forest grass supplies a soft golden skirt for part-shade pockets and, in the gaps, sweet potato vines spread durable leaves that mask fading stems and thrive on the exact drainage profile.
