Platycodon grandiflorus
Balloon flower , Platycodon grandiflorus , is a native of the Russian Far East , China , Japan , and Korea that has become a garden sentience in the United States .
A member of the Campanulaceae family that includes bellflower andlobelia , its rough-cut name educe from the bouffant balloon - like buds that burst open into starry bell - similar flower .
In this article , you will learn how to develop and care for balloon flush in your landscape painting .
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What You’ll Learn
What Are Balloon Flowers?
AlthoughP. grandiflorusis not anative blue heyday , its stout , disease - tolerant nature andvibrant perennial blossomshave made it a jewel of American garden .
Also call mutual , Taiwanese , or Nipponese campanula , P. grandiflorusgrows in clumps that fill in densely , and is the perfect plant for a sunny molding garden . This herbaceous perennial is suitable for gardener inUSDA Hardiness Zones3 to 8 .
The two- to three - inch bloom bloom in various shade of blue , as well as pink and clean . Some have prominent veining of the petals .
There may be one or more blossoms on each upright radical . In the bud stage , they resemble little balloon implore to be popped . When they spread up , they resemble star - like upturned bell .
The leaf are heavyset , and green to dingy - special K in color . They are spear - shaped with serrated margins .
P. grandiflorusthrives in organically - rich , loamy stain that ’s well - run out and middling moist . It has heavy taproot that are well damage if plant are vex .
The roots are not aggressive , but this flora self - sow with vigour , spreading via raw shoot that pop up in the prolific ground each spring .
Plant sizes motley . The true botanical metal money , as found in the wild in its aboriginal lands , may touch or even exceed 36 in tall and 18 inch wide at maturity date .
civilise variety include dwarf plants that are four to six in tall and every bit wide , as well as medium - sized specimen that measure 12 to 18 column inch tall and wide of the mark .
With unconstipated deadheading , plants bloom prolifically through the summertime .
Per the California Poison Control System , P. grandiflorusis non - toxic to man and brute .
The edible roots have long been pickled and preserved , and used in herbal remedies and dietary postscript , to bring home the bacon anti - rabble-rousing , antitussive , and digestive benefits .
Balloon Flower Propagation
P. grandiflorusmay be propagated from seed , by stem cutting , or from glasshouse starts in the spring .
Other propagation method are not recommended for this plant .
Some folks endeavor to divideP. grandiflorus . However , the divisions are rarely successful due to the inevitable source damage .
Also , you may sometimes come up sleeping nude rootstock for sale .
As the root are delicate and repellent to transplant , this method acting may not be deserving the investment , especially when plant are so easy to point sow and maturate from germ .
Let ’s take a look at each of the commend propagation methods .
From Seed
Start seeds indoorssix to eight week prior to the last ordinary springtime freeze date for heyday in the first year .
P. grandiflorusseeds need lighting to germinate , so place them on the open of moist filth without covering them .
When the seedlings have two set of truthful leaves and the danger of icing has perish , you may bit by bit acclimate them to the outdoors .
Give them a few hours of fresh air and sunshine each day for about three to five day . This is a process called “ hardening off . ”
After harden off , you may transpose the seedlings to the garden , use up care not to disturb the frail root .
Dig a hole the same profundity and width as the root ball .
Keep the soil surface of the seedling even with the ground soil surface , neither bury nor elevating the seedling , to minimize transplant stress .
You may also direct sow seeds outdoors after the last average outflow frost appointment , or at any metre during the grow season , but they may not produce heyday until the 2d year .
dampen the soil and sprinkle your ejaculate every few column inch throughout the planting surface area . Do not cover them .
defend even moisture , but do not allow the grime become waterlogged .
Once they have several set of true leave , thin the seedling to adapt plants ’ mature dimensions .
This is the beneficial propagation method acting , as it will not put any stress on the fragile roots .
For both method acting , maintain even wet but avoid oversaturation while seed shoot and plants become show in the garden .
From Nursery Starts
Transplant nursery starts to the garden in early springiness for blossom the first class .
You may set glasshouse start at any sentence during the growing season to control prime in the 2d class .
When you transplant , dig a mess the same profundity and breadth of the ancestor clump , and be sure to keep the pot soil level even with the basis soil level .
Remove the plant gently from the container and do not disrupt the roots .
keep up even moisture before and after transplanting .
From Cuttings
In the spring , you’re able to take subdued cuttings of grow stem tips to steady down and plant out .
Useclean , discriminating prunersto cut off about four inches of a root . Pinch off enough foliage to reveal about two inches of scanty stem at the bottom .
Dip the bleak stem in powdered steady down internal secretion and then set it into a container of potting medium . keep even moisture , but do not overwater .
The appearance of leaves is evidence of ascendent development .
transpose the rooted fore to the garden , taking tutelage not to commove its touchy roots .
engraft it at the same depth as the container in which it was growing .
How to Grow Balloon Flowers
Now that we ’ve talked about starting plants , let ’s move on to establishing them in the garden .
Balloon flowers require afull Sunday to part shadelocation .
Theideal soil is organically - rich and loamy , with a pH that falls between about 5.5 to 7.5 .
You mayconduct a soil testto determine the characteristic of your dry land . Add limeto lower acidulousness , orsphagnum peat mossto gain it , as want .
The territory should be well - draining . If you find your soil is dense and stiff - like , you may add builder ’s sand or foliage mulch to loosen it and improve drainage .
Leaf mulch may also increase the acidity .
Work the stain to a astuteness of about 10 to 12 in , meliorate it as needed to reach the appropriate pH and in force drain .
For nursery starts , seedling , and rooted cuttings , space plant to appropriate for their matured dimensions . Take care not to disturb the taproots during transplant .
Provide logical wet , but always debar place upright piss , until plants are well set up .
You may apply an all - purpose slow - release granular plant food at the time of planting if desired .
A layer of mulch may aid to continue wet , with the bonus of inhibiting weed that may vie for weewee and nutrient .
Forcontainer gardening , naturalize dwarf varieties .
Select pots that are at least two inch blanket than the mature widths of the plants , and with a astuteness of at least 10 to 12 column inch to accommodate the taproots .
Be sure the pots run out well . Keep them uniformly moist , but not waterlogged , and call back that containers will dry out much prompt than ground soil .
Growing Tips
This hardy perennial is easy to mature , particularly when you take off with seeds .
Remember these three keys to success :
Pruning and Maintenance
This scurvy - maintenance plant life does well on its own in ideal conditions and requires very piffling treatment once established .
However , there are two progeny you may have to care with:“leggy”stems and self sowing .
Leggy Stems
A very common complaint about this flora is that the stems of tall varieties tend to get“leggy”and grow horizontally or else of vertically .
Here ’s how to manage works for more upright growth :
burn all stems by one - half in late spring to encourage more branching , and stocky , shaggy-coated growth .
In fall , after the grow time of year is over , you may also rationalise all of the dead stems to the primer coat . you’re able to also prune in early spring , just as the unexampled growth appears .
If you choose to prune in early leap , take care not to damage go forth shoots .
Also , do n’t fertilize if your soil is particularly rich , because too much atomic number 7 can cause legginess .
And finally , if you decide not to take proactive amount , simply apply stake to support the stem and keep them vertical .
Self-Sowing
A vigorous self - sower can be a problem .
Either give this plant a space of its own tonaturally reseed at will , or design to toil up random seedling every bound . Some are sure to leap out the garden boundary and end up in the lawn , if law of proximity permits it .
you could also limit self - sowing by deadheading expend peak throughout the growing season , and/or removing all shank after blooming finishes and before seeded player drop-off .
You may save harvested stems to dry out for seeded player collection . However , many balloon bloom are cultivated intercrossed variety , and they are probable to make results that differ from their parent industrial plant .
Fertilizer
Fertilizing is optional . give an all - purpose slow - release chondritic plant life food inearly springif desired .
Organically - racy soil offer decent nutrition , and products that are in high spirits in nitrogen may give to legginess .
Moisture
Established plant life have mysterious taproot and require little supplemental pee .
They exhibit above average drouth leeway , but in the issue of a prolonged ironic patch , water profoundly once a week .
Balloon Flower Cultivars to Select
When shopping for balloon flowers , you may get along across the true botanic species , but more likely , you ’ll find civilize variety .
P. grandiflorus
you may notice packet boat of 50 seeds of the species plant , P. grandiflorus , available from Earthbeat Seeds .
Here are some you are sure to like :
Astra Double
P. grandiflorus‘Astra Double ’ is a dwarf variety with a mature peak of six to 12 inches and width of six to nine inches , making for a compact flora that is well-to-do to contend .
flower measure out three inch across and boast a double row of lavender - blue flower petal . They are especially prolific with ordered deadheading .
P. grandiflorus‘Astra Double ’
This is a hardy , pest- and disease - resistant cultivar .
The midget height of this eccentric makes it a beneficial choice for containers , the front of assorted beds , and along the edge of borders .
FindP. grandiflorus‘Astra Double ’ plants nowfrom Nature Hills Nursery .
Rose
P. grandiflorus‘Rose ’ is also a compact plant that matures to a height of 18 column inch , and a width of 12 to 18 inch .
P. grandiflorus‘Rose ’
The three - inch blossoms are sick pink and have one row of petals .
This is another intrepid , pest- and disease - resistant choice .
Low - profile balloon blossom are unlikely to need staking , and are well - befit to container gardening as well as seam , border , and rock garden arrangement .
Remember to deadhead spent heyday to encourage optimum blooming .
FindP. grandiflorus‘Rose ’ seed nowfrom Outsidepride via Amazon .
Fuji Blue
A tall cultivar , P. grandiflorus‘Fuji Blue ’ by and large top out out at 18 to 24 inches tall with a spread of 12 to 18 inches .
The prime have a single row of deep blue petal , and measure between two and two and a half inches across .
Well - suited to mid - bed placement , this case may necessitate staking .
‘ Fuji Blue ’ may also produce double blooms . mutant are potential as most cultivars are seed - produce , fit in to expert at theChicago Botanic Garden .
FindP. grandiflorus‘Fuji Blue ’ seedlings from your local greenhouse .
Sentimental
P. grandiflorus‘Sentimental ’ is a gnome cultivar with mature meridian ranging from six to 12 inches and widths of 12 to 18 inches .
P. grandiflorus‘Sentimental ’
The flowers have a diam of three inches and a single row of puritanical petals .
The wider spreading of this low - visibility option makes it an specially skilful choice for border edging .
FindP. grandiflorus‘Sentimental ’ plants nowfrom Nature Hills Nursery .
Managing Pests and Disease
P. grandiflorusis not prone to problem with pests or disease , however , as I always say , your best defense is a level-headed industrial plant .
condition that are too wet may make it vulnerable to pests such asslugs and escargot .
In addition , if plant life ride in puddles of water , they may be susceptible to root rot .
Avoid problems by provide adequate drainage , and do n’t water established plants unless there isinsufficient rainfallcombined with mellow temperature .
Best Uses of Balloon Flowers
If you ’re looking for something really unique for your mixed layer , borders , and container , this plant is one to debate .
I ’m especially partial to the blue flowers because they are eye - take in for their color alone .
Add to this their balloon - like bud and starry bell - mold blooms , and you have a specimen that ’s going to be noticed .
gnome types are light to grow in container , rock gardens , and at the front of beds and borders , where a low , compact profile is appreciated .
Medium - sizing multifariousness apply the middle basis of perennial beds , while tall species plants anchor rearward office with their stalwart stem ( which may necessitate staking ) .
Companions that trifle well withP. grandiflorusincludebee balm , opprobrious - eyed Susan , blazing superstar , daylily , and lily greensward .
It is of import to prefer plants with similar water requirements , to avoid oversaturating your balloon flowers because a neighboring plant has dehydrated .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
Plucky and Playful
Balloon flower is a not a fragile face in the crowd , but a sturdy - stem beaut that stands up to repeated mysterious pruning for a thickset and manageable form .
It asks little in the way of piddle once established , and while it loves to self - sow , well - choose planting locations andadequate deadheadingcan minimize the personal effects of its ebullience .
Ask the kids to help you add this perennial gem to your outdoor living space .
It ’s a great choice forgardening with childrenbecause it ’s well-to-do to grow , comes back twelvemonth after twelvemonth , and the inflated bud never cease to enthral .
If you likevigorous blue blossom , you ’ll want to translate these guides next :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL right wing RESERVED.See our TOSfor more contingent . Originally print March 19th , 2019 . Last updated : July 6th , 2023 . Product photograph via Amazon , Earthbeat Seeds , Nature Hills Nursery , and Outsidepride . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
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Nan Schiller
