The balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) is a perennial flowering plant native to East Asia, particularly China, Japan, Korea, and Siberia. It's a popular garden ornamental valued for its unique balloon-like flower buds that open into beautiful bell-shaped flowers.
Here are some interesting facts about balloon flowers:
Name: The balloon flower gets its name from its inflated flower buds that resemble small balloons before they open to reveal their blooms.
Appearance: Balloon flowers are clump-forming plants that typically grow up to 2.5 feet tall. They have blue-green, ovate to lance-shaped leaves with serrated edges. The star-shaped flowers come in shades of lavender-blue to white and can be up to 3 inches across.
Bloom time: These low-maintenance plants bloom throughout summer, from early summer to late summer.
Sun and Soil preference: Balloon flowers prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained, average soil.
Uses: Balloon flowers are popular ornamental plants grown in gardens, borders, rock gardens, and even containers. Their sturdy stems and attractive flowers also make them excellent cut flowers for bouquets.
Propagation: Balloon flowers can be easily propagated by seed or division. However, division can be tricky due to their fragile root systems.
Hardiness: Balloon flowers are hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8.
Interesting fact: The balloon flower is the only member of the genus Platycodon. Its name comes from the Greek words "platycodon" meaning "broad forehead" and "grandiflorus" meaning "large flowered".
