Platycodon Grandiflorus
(plat-ee-KOH-don)
Balloon Flower or Bell Flower
CAMPANULACEAE
What a fun plant. Before one sees the five petaled flower there
is the "balloon". Going off into the sky.
Best grown in zones 3 - 9. With late spring to summer bloom.
Full sun will do nicely. Well drained soil.
Shown and grown in borders, cottage gardens, and definitely used as cut flowers. They may require staking and will grow 2 to 3 feet in height.
Mulch and mark well for next year&##39;s performance.
It is a long lived perennial although it may be slow to achieve its mature clump.
Propagation: the flower can be started from seed, but will not flower for 2 - 3 years. Sow seeds in spring and late summer. Do not cover the seeds. Division, in the spring, will produce faster results. Be careful when transplanting. It may be difficult.
Tip: How to keep those hydrangeas pink or blue: if you want them blue, apply aluminum sulfate or gypsum. If you want them pink, you need more alkaline, wood ashes or limestone.