Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00001131
11/12/99
Platycodon grandiflorus--Balloon Flower
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
Height: 36 in Spread: 18 in
Type: herbaceous perennial
Flowers: Blue, pink, white
Comments: Balloon Flower gets its name from the flower
buds that puff up before opening in mid- to late summer.
The plant is slow to start growth in the spring and new
plants may need a year or two to perform well. Stake the
plants before they are flowering size because once they
fall over, they usually break when straightened. Balloon
flower grows best in full sun and once established does
not like to be disturbed. Pink and white cultivars may
grow best when given partial shade. Winter protection is
suggested. The plant is listed as a source of cut flowers
but the cut end of the stem must be seared with a flame
before it is used in arrangements.
Propagation: The seed germinates in 2 to 3 weeks at
temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees and is the
preferred method of propagation. Light is necessary for
seed germination. Division may be done in spring but the
roots are thick and division must be done carefully. Set
the crown one inch below the soil surface. Stem tip
cuttings may be rooted under mist.
Cultivars:
'Albus' - The white flowers are produced on plants 40
inches tall.
'Apoyama Misato Purple' - A dwarf only 8 inches tall
that bears purple flowers.
'Blue' - Large, 2-inch, deep blue flowers.
'Double Blue' - Plants 2 feet tall bear double, violet-
blue flowers that have darker veins.
'Fuji' - A strain that produces pink, white or blue
flowers on 30-inch plants.
'Komachi' - The blue buds remain closed and balloon-
shaped.
var. mariesii - Violet blue flowers.
'Misato Purple' - Dwarf purple, only 8 inches tall.
'Rose' - Pale pink flowers.
'Sentimental Blue' - Dwarf, 8-inch plants bear large
blue flowers (Vis. 1).
'Shell Pink' - Pale pink flowers (Vis. 2).
'White' - White flowers.
References for Cultivars: Walters Gardens 1999, Ray
Wiegand's Nursery 1999, Weston Nurseries 1999, Park Seeds
1994, White Flower Farm 1999, Bailey Nurseries 1999,
Monrovia Nursery Company 1997, Sheridan Nurseries 1999,
Wayside Gardens 1999, Berryhill Nurseries 1999, Willoway
Nurseries 1999.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
This file was generated from data base ZZ on 01/19/00.
Data base ZZ was last revised on 11/12/99.
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