| Botanical Name: | Platycodon grandiflorus |
| Life Cycle: | perennial |
| Planting Time: | spring or fall |
| Height: | 1' to 3' |
| Exposure: | full sun or light shade (afternoon shade in hot climates) |
| Soil: | average, well-drained soil |
| Hardiness: | zones 3 to 8 |
| Bloom Time: | mid to late summer |
| Flower: | bell-shaped purple-blue, pink or white upward facing blossoms |
| Foliage: | green, fine-textured |
| Propagation: | seeds or cuttings, plants are difficult to divide |
| Suggested Use: | containers, edging, cut flowers and borders |
| Growing Hints: | In the spring, sow seeds directly into ground where you want them to grow. Keep sowing seeds up to 2 months before fall frost date. Seeds can be started indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting. Seeds require light to germinate so don't cover them; just press them lightly into the soil. Expect flowers the second season. Mark planted areas. Balloon flowers are notoriously slow to wake up in the spring. Cuttings (2" to 4") can be taken in the late spring. |
| Interesting Facts: | Balloon flowers get their name from they way their flower buds swell before the petals unveil themselves. |
