What are balloon flowers called?
Platycodon grandiflorus. Common Name: balloon flower. Type: Herbaceous perennial. Family: Campanulaceae. Native Range: China, Korea, Japan, Russia. You will get the most flowers if you plant balloon flowers in full sun (at least six hours of sunlight on most days). However, they will be fine in part shade and might actually prefer some shade where the afternoon sun is especially hot.Because they emerge late in the spring, it’s a good idea to mark the spot so you don’t plant over them. Balloon flowers can easily be propagated from seed. Start them indoors in January or February, sowing seed in pots of sterile soilless mix such as Promix. Or sow seed in pots outdoors over the winter.Yes, it is possible to grow balloon flowers indoors. Balloon flowers (Platycodon grandiflorus) are herbaceous perennials that can survive in a wide range of temperatures and light conditions, making them suitable for indoor cultivation.Besides blue, balloon flower is also available in white and pink varieties. Once established, balloon flower is a long-lived, deer-resistant perennial that you can rely on for many years.Whether you transplant your seedlings or go with starter plants from a nursery, place them in a sunny spot in the garden. They’ll grow in partial shade, but you’ll get the most flowers if the plant gets eight or more hours of sun a day. Balloon flowers prefer well-drained, loamy soil that’s slightly acidic.
Is balloon flower easy to grow?
Balloon flowers are not hard to grow but do have a few quirks. They are taprooted and do not do well (ie often die) when moved, so site them thoughtfully. As perennials go, they are slow growing and may take 3 years to reach full size, so you have to be patient. Well-worth the wait, Balloon Flower will not flower until the second season but when it does flower, stand back! Its heavily flower-laden stems make perfect cutting flowers. They should be cut when 2 to 3 flowers open on an individual stem. Flame-sear each stem’s cut-end before placing them in water to prevent wilting.Balloon flower needs at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which hinders blooming. Maintaining well-draining soil with good organic matter is essential for healthy blooms.To get the best possible results with this plant, it is recommended to add nutrient-rich fertilizer and compost to the soil. This will help to ensure the continued good health of the balloon flower and encourage vibrant blooms.New branches grow and sprout more flowers. Deadheading a balloon flower is a worthwhile chore. In summer, you can prune further down and remove up to one-third of the branches for a total rebloom.
Where should I plant my balloon flowers?
Grow platycodon in fertile soil that’s moist but well-drained, in sun or partial shade. Avoid growing it in heavy, waterlogged soil. When they’re ready to plant into the garden, choose a position in full sun. Platycodon prefers a moist but well-drained loamy soil. It tends to do well in meadow areas as well as borders.Commonly known as the Balloon Flower due to its large round buds, Platycodon Pink is a low maintenance perennial that will return year after year. It flourishes in a full sun or partially shaded spot, and does best in a moist but well-drained soil composed of Loam.Platycodon grandiflorus) Note: The roots are edible, but please do not eat the leaves or flowers! These easy perennial plants are a fun addition to the garden! Flower buds puff up like a balloon before bursting open to showcase their colorful blooms.Platycodon grandiflorus (Balloon Flower, Chinese Balloon Flower, Chinese Bellflower, Japanese Bellflower) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.
Can you grow balloon flowers in pots indoors?
Planting the flower in a small pot with well-draining potting soil and watering regularly (but not too often) will help the balloon flower thrive indoors. If you dead head balloon flowers, you’ll get a second bloom late summer.To overwinter the balloon flower in a pot, place it in a frost-free but cool and light place.The best period for transplanting balloon flower is from the late spring to late summer. This provides optimal growing conditions.
Does balloon flower spread?
Do balloon flowers spread fast? These perennials will self-sow their seed, though they aren’t considered aggressive spreaders. However, they may not flower well until their second year, when they will begin multiplying. To plant balloon vine seeds, soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours to boost germination. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded spot after the last frost. Keep the soil moist but avoid waterlogging. Germination usually occurs within 14–21 days.Sow Balloon Flower Seed indoors 6 – 8 weeks before last frost. They can also be sown directly outdoors after last frost.This directs the plant’s energy downward to force out more flower buds. New branches grow and sprout more flowers. Deadheading a balloon flower is a worthwhile chore.Part of problem is that balloon flowers self-seed very fast. The plants could be deadheaded to prevent self-seeding but this is a nerve racking, time consuming task. Each single seed pod has to be clipped off in order to leave the remaining buds or open blossoms.Balloon flowers are generally planted in the spring after the danger of frost has passed, growing quickly to bloom in the first year during the summer. In subsequent years, the plant will bloom beginning in late spring and last through the summer.
Do balloon flowers smell?
In the mid to late summer, balloon plants sprout clusters of waxy white and purple flowers which smell faintly like vanilla. Like many species of milkweed, the balloon plant produces a milky white latex that is mildly poisonous if ingested. In the mid to late summer, balloon plants sprout clusters of waxy white and purple flowers which smell faintly like vanilla.
Do balloon flowers need sun or shade?
Full sun is excellent for balloon flower, though a semi-shaded area is OK, too. They’ll bloom more with more sun, though—at least 6 hours is best. Balloon Flowers are easy-to-grow from flower seed. They are an old-fashioned favorite, and they are as lovely in the garden or along borders as they are in the vase. This flower has unique star-shaped blue blossoms, and it blooms late summer and into the fall.Balloon Flower gets its name from how the flower buds puff up like balloons before they finally open, children love to “pop” the buds (and this doesn’t hurt the flowers! They enjoy full sun and good drainage and prefer to not be disturbed once planted. The roots are eaten as a vegetable in Korea.The perfect time to transplant balloon flower is between late spring and late summer, when the plant enjoys warm temperatures and ample sunlight. Choose a location with well-draining soil and partial to full sun exposure. If needed, enrich the soil with organic matter for optimal growth. Happy transplanting!Balloon flowers are generally planted in the spring after the danger of frost has passed, growing quickly to bloom in the first year during the summer. In subsequent years, the plant will bloom beginning in late spring and last through the summer.