A wondrously whimsical perennial, balloon flower is as stunning as it is unique. Platycodon grandiflorus (plat-ee-KO-don gran-dih-FLOR-us), belonging to Campanulaceae, the bellflower family is the only member of the Platycodon genus and is native to eastern Asia including China, Korea, Japan, and eastern Russia. Commonly known as balloon flower, Platycodon grandiflorus is named for its unique swollen flower buds.

First blooming in the early summer and reblooming throughout the season with deadheading, Platycodon flowers are star-shaped, up to three inches across. Platycodon is derived from the Greek platys, meaning broad, and kodon, meaning bell. Their buds swell as they develop, appearing to inflate like little balloons before finally popping open to reveal their large, colorful flowers. Balloon flowers range in color from soft blues and purples to light pinks or white, in single or semidouble blooms. We love the light pink blooms of ‘Astra Pink,’ semidouble blue-purple blooms of ‘Astra Semi-Double Blue,’ and bright white blooms of ‘Twinkle™ White.'

Slow to emerge in the spring, not breaking dormancy until late spring, balloon flowers quickly grow to form a loosely upright mound of lance-like, blue-green leaves that later take on purple and yellow fall color. Platycodon are available in a variety of sizes with many compact cultivars maturing to less than 12” tall. Larger varieties can reach upwards of 30” tall, typically forming a mound around 12-18” wide.

Balloon flowers are a fantastic addition to low sunny borders, cottage gardens, and rock gardens, and are excellent as standalone features or massed as a specimen or showy groundcover depending on species. Platycodon are easy care, animal resistant perennials, thriving in full or part sun conditions in moist, well-drained soils. Balloon flowers will not tolerate consistently wet or poorly drained soils and should not be moved once planted unless necessary to avoid stressing plants and disturbing their fragile, fleshy roots. If taller plants tend to flop, stems may be cut back by half in May to reduce plant height without affecting bloom production.

Happy planting!