
Balloon Flower
This plant comes up in my garden every year, in both areas of full sun and partial shade. I call them my balloon flowers because they start out looking like a balloon and then burst into a beautiful purple bloom.
You are not the only one to see the likeness to a balloon. This blooming beauty, Platycodon grandiflorus, goes by the common name balloon flower. As you observed, it grows in full sun to part shade. It prefers a slightly acid well-drained soil and does not perform its best in wet soil. Those adding it to their garden may want to mark its location at planting or in fall as the plants fade. This perennial is slow to emerge in spring and has been the victim of accidental cultivation in many gardens.
Related
Categories
Upcoming Webinars & Appearances
Feb. 8, 2023
WEBINAR:
Indoor Container Garden Design & Display Ideas
Register now
Feb. 10-12, 2023
PBS Wisconsin
Garden & Landscape EXPO
Madison, Wisconsin
Feb. 15, 2023
WEBINAR:
10 Tips for Growing Better Dahlias!
Register now
Feb. 17-19, 2023
NARI Milwaukee Spring Home Improvement Show
West Allis, Wisconsin
Feb. 22, 2023
WEBINAR:
Grow Beautiful Water Gardens
Register now
March 1, 2023
WEBINAR:
How and When to Prune Shrubs
Register now
March 4, 2023
Milwaukee Public Libraries
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
March 8, 2023
WEBINAR:
Grow Your Own Flowers for Bouquets
Register Now
March 11, 2023
Home, Lawn & Garden Day
Bloomington, Illinois
Watch Melinda's past webinars ON DEMAND
Learn More