Flower Specifications
- Season: Perennial
- USDA Zones: 4 - 9
- Height: 18 inches
- Bloom Season: Summer
- Bloom Color: Blue
- Environment: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Type: Well-drained, pH 5.8 - 6.8
Planting Directions
- Temperature: 65 - 70F
- Average Germ Time: 14 - 21 days
- Light Required: Yes
- Depth: Do not cover
- Sowing Rate: 4 seeds per plant
- Moisture: Keep moist until germination
- Plant Spacing: 10 inches
- Care & Maintenance: See: Balloon Flower
Balloon Flower (Platycodon Grandiflorus Blue) - Easy-to-grow from flower seed, Balloon Flowers are an old-fashioned favorite, and they are as lovely in the garden as they are in the vase. This flower has unique star-shaped blue blossoms, and it blooms late summer into the fall. The Platycodons have been around forever, and some of their biggest fans are children. They love to watch the balloons form (the buds) and then grow until the right time to pop open and form the lovely star-shaped flower. It is a very hardy perennial that can withstand periods of drought. Balloon Flower is rarely bothered by disease or insect problems making it virtually a maintenance-free perennial.
Sow Balloon Flower seeds indoors 6 - 8 weeks before last frost, and transplant outside. This flower seed requires sunlight to germinate, so do not cover the flower seed with soil. Just lightly pat them into the soil so good contact is made and water lightly. You can also sow directly outdoors after last frost. Balloon flower seed is one of the last perennials to come up in the spring.
