Are you looking to plant balloon flowers in your garden? These perennials feature stunning, large flowers atop short or tall stems that will captivate any garden guests. Take a look at this article for absolutely everything you need to know to successfully grow these plants in your own backyard. When it comes to interesting flowering plants, balloon flowers are one of the first to come to mind. These adorable perennials are named after their blooms, with petals that expand to form a balloon shape before opening up into a star-shaped beauty. The petals are lined with darker veins that add even more interest to the stunning flowers.
These plants are incredibly low-maintenance and will require little attention from you after planting. When planted en masse, they create waves of color in pots or throughout your garden beds. They are also ideal for mixed perennial plantings, complementing other flowers while standing out in their own right.
There is little excuse not to plant one of these stunning plants this season. And, with several cultivars to choose from, you’re bound to find the right one for you.Balloon flowers are part of the Campanulaceae family, known as Platycodon grandifloras. They are the only member of the Platycodon genus, giving them the same common name. They are also known as Chinese bellflowers due to their country of origin.
These plants may have originated in Asia, but they are now beloved garden plants around the world, growing in many home gardens. Their popularity is largely due to their interesting flowers, which slowly expand like balloons before ‘popping’ into star-like flowers with five petals.
As blue is not a common flower color in the plant world, blue Chinese bellflowers with purple-ish hues are one of the most popular choices. But these interesting blooms also come in bright white and blush pink to suit any garden design.
White platycondons can be found in the wild across Asia, and are especially popular in Korea. The roots are commonly used as a vegetable called doraji, eaten fresh and dried. It is also used to treat various illnesses, such as asthma and bronchitis.