Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Dividing Plants With Taproots: "Fine Gardening" video, Walter's Gardens, Inc.: Plant View- Platycodon g. 'Sentimental Blue', Planting and Transplanting-Gardening with Perennials-University of Illinois Extension, Platycodon grandiflorus Information from NPGS/GRIN. Deadhead the old blooms to keep the plant blooming. Widely popular among gardeners, Platycodon grandiflorus (Balloon Flower) is a compact herbaceous perennial with bell-shaped, flaring, violet-blue flowers, up to 2-3 in. Tracy DiSabato-Aust, in her book, "The Well-Tended Perennial Garden," has another suggestion: pruning the plant halfway a month before blooming. It does well in most climates, from zones 3 through 9. Their ideal temperature range is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but they can withstand higher temperatures if they have some shade in the afternoon. Growing Edibles Indoors Platycodon g. 'Sentimental Blue' is 6-8 inches, and Platycodon g. Astra Blue is 8-10 inches, according to Walter's Gardens online plant directory.  Register today Spring is the ideal time to transplant fall-blooming perennials and ornamental grasses, while fall is best for spring blooming perennials. Older, basal leaves are also said to … She has a degree in English from the University of Vermont. How To Grow Balloon Flower Planting Balloon Flowers Balloon Flower with Balloon Buds. Dig new hole if you have not done so already, making it several inches wider beyond the edge of the plant around its circumference and about several inches deeper than the bottom roots of the lifted plant. If the white plant produces white offspring it is classified as a variety or subspecies. Growing Herbs Indoors Most commonly available in blue-violet, balloon flowers also come in pink and white, as well as shorter forms that are better suited for rock gardens and containers. Using balloon flower seeds is very simple to do, but dividing the plants can be a bit trickier. Balloon flowers get their name from the unopened buds, which swell up prior to opening and resemble little hot-air balloons. Keep plant out of direct sun and in a cool place. Keep plant watered after transplanting but do not over-water, as balloon flowers are susceptible to root rot. Create new balloon flower plants by dividing existing mature plants, or by collecting the seeds in the fall and planting them the next spring. Allow the plants several months to become established before their bloom time, in order not to miss a season of color. You may have noticed that established plants, especially in bloom, often have stems that flop, so staking is usually needed. Vigorous and floriferous, Platycodon grandiflorus 'Sentimental Blue' (Balloon Flower) is a dwarf herbaceous perennial which produces an abundance of bell-shaped, flaring, vibrant blue flowers, up to 3 in. Balloon Flower (the Latin name is Platycodon grandiflorus, for those who like to know) is a perennial. Marie. If you live in a hotter climate, be sure they get afternoon shade. I have two of these plants. Simply press the seed onto the top of moist soil so that it gets plenty of light to grow. Lift plant, with as much soil clinging to it as possible, and place it carefully (on its side to protect roots) on plastic bag, so as to keep loose soil handy for transplanting. Remove the dead leaves and flowers from the garden after deadheading. When the weather is warm, small plants, like annual petunias, impatiens, or marigolds, are eager to grow. Jen Giordano Jen Giordano Balloon Flower. Webinar After I divided them into two bunches, the original bed remained blue, but the transplanted stalks only produced white flowers. When it comes to foolproof perennials for sunny garden spots, few plants can beat the cheerful daylily. Dig down as deeply as you … Positive: On Jul 15, 2004, kooger from Oostburg, WI (Zone 5b) wrote: My plant is a dwarf, blue, and only about 12 inches high. Balloon flower's new location should not retain water. Flowers of Transplanted Balloon Flower Changed Color. Make sure crown (just above where the taproot begins) is not planted too deeply but is also not showing above the soil. Her fiction has been published in "Glimmer Train Stories." Balloon Flower Hasn’t Come Up - My balloon flower has come back in spring for several years, but this year I … We wish you Good Health. Balloon flowers grow well from seed and can be sown anytime within the growing season. You can buy them or harvest them in autumn. A white variety of balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus albus) was discovered and has been cultivated and sold since the late 1800's. Research hasn't uncovered the reason for the sport, they just know a mutation has occurred. Platycodon g. 'Sentimental Blue' is 6-8 inches, and Platycodon g. Astra Blue is 8-10 inches, according to Walter's Gardens online plant directory. Be patient if your balloon flower looks a little less vigorous after transplanting; give it time to recover. Place shovel along the drip line, which is as far out as the leaves go. Transplant on a cool, overcast day to minimize stress on the plant. After cutting, seal the cut end of the stem with a lit match or candle. Choose a location which has full sun, or partial shade, with a rich, loamy type soil. Seeds are easy to start, but because plants do not flower well until the second year, you may want to save time by buying container-grown plants. You may need to stake tall plants to keep them from flopping over under the weight of their blooms. There are several possible explanations. Feb. 24, 2021 The other possibility is the transplanted portion died but dormant seed in the soil sprouted and grew. What you may not know is that balloon flower is one of several perennials with a taproot and such plants are not fond of being moved once established. I desire to purchase them this year. They don’t need to be be soaked before sowing. Watch and see if this mutation stays or reverts back (actually another mutation) to blue. If you have to, it is best to transplant them in spring. If the plant is dormant, move several inches away from the center, erring on the generous side, and dig down carefully, avoiding taproot. Don't rush to do the job; take your time. Growing Tips. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Annual flowers are a snap to transplant. Lift plant, with as much soil clinging to it as possible, and place it carefully (on its side to protect roots) on plastic bag, so as to keep loose soil handy for transplanting. For 5 years, I had an increasingly abundant bed of bright blue balloon flowers. Balloon flower does best in full sun but some afternoon shade in the hottest zones is also preferable since it prefers cooler summer temperatures. Janet Belding has been writing for over 22 years. Where ... Q. If you want to get a head start on growing these plants, you can sow the seeds indoors in early spring. Warning. The soil is the same, but the transplanted stalks get more direct sunlight. Houseplants - Tips for Success Although P. grandiflorus is not a native blue flower, its hardy, disease-resistant nature and vibrant perennial blossoms have made it a jewel of American gardens.. Also called common, Chinese, or Japanese bellflower, P. grandiflorus grows in clumps that fill in densely, and is the perfect plant for a sunny border garden. For the best chance for success, move your plant in early spring. Root is poisonous. New cultivars are much shorter. Jan. 13, 2021 Perhaps these needs are not being met in the current location or the plant is simply too tall where it is and you've decided to move it. Plant Height: 12" - 18" You are not the only one! Annual flowers are often sold in plastic four- or six- packs. Cut them in the bud stage, and sear the base of the stems to prevent the milky sap from seeping out and fouling the water. They do need staking if they are tall growing types. Don’t leave any sticks, rocks or weeds. Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) earned its common name with its unusual, balloon-shaped flower buds, which pop open to reveal star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, blue, purple and white. How to Grow Windflowers. Leave a few flowers on the plant to set seed near the end of summer if you want to save some of the balloon flower seed for further planting. Balloon Plants - I love the balloon plants in any color - blue, white, pink. across (7 cm), adorned with 5 broad, pointed lobes that form a star shape. Place the seeds just on the soil. Transplanting annual flowers. see more; Family Campanulaceae . Would that affect their color? If you're transplanting balloon flowers, known botanically as platycodon, you may already know that the plant likes sun and well-drained soil and is long-lived, but slow to emerge in spring. Fill in with soil, tamping it down all around plant, careful not to make soil too compacted. Balloon flower's new location should not retain water. Carefully transport plant to new location and lift carefully into hole. The best seasons for dividing and transplanting perennials are spring and fall. Give each plant space and they’ll begin to grow. Transplant on a cool, overcast day to minimize stress on the plant. Keep plant watered after transplanting but do not over-water, as balloon flowers are susceptible to root rot. If you're transplanting balloon flowers, known botanically as platycodon, you may already know that the plant likes sun and well-drained soil and is long-lived, but slow to emerge in spring. Try growing them in containers, flower beds, or as borders. Water well. And they make great cut flowers. You can use a regular potting or cacti mix. "The Well-Tended Perennial Garden"; Tracy DiSabato-Aust; 1998. Growing the Balloon Flower (Platycodon) from seeds isn’t difficult. Genus Platycodon are herbaceous perennials with neat, ovate leaves and terminal clusters of open bell-shaped flowers which open from large, balloon-shaped buds in late summer . She is a writer for the guidebook "Cape Cod Pride Pages." Learn More, © 2020 Melinda Myers   All rights reserved  |   But, the stem contains a milky sap. Dig holes 1 ½ times the width and depth of each planting cell. Prepare the location by turning over the soil to a depth of 5 to 6 inches. She has had nonfiction pieces published in "The Boston Globe," "The Cape Cod Times" and other local publications. Make sure you guys appreciate us and don't forget to Like, Share and Subscribe. Webinar Resembling bellflowers (Campanula), they open from large, plump, balloon-like buds which almost beg to be popped. Roots that are thin with a yellow or grey hue are poor quality. Just wait until the fruits are dried up and start to open. Plants will bloom later and will be shorter, but the flopping problem will be solved. Balloon Flowers have a long tap root, they will not do well in transplant. All Rights Reserved. The balloon flower or Platycodon grandiflorus, is known by many home gardeners as a hardy perennial with whimsical flowers in shades of blue, pink and white.The flower is commonly used as an ornamental in perennial border gardens. Water the plant well the day before. Jan. 20, 2021 Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) is one of those fun plants to grow in the garden with kids. You may have noticed that established plants, especially in bloom, often have stems that flop, so staking is usually needed. Transplant on a cool, overcast day to minimize stress on the plant. Keep plant watered after transplanting but do not over-water, as balloon flowers are susceptible to root rot. Wish all plants where as easy as balloon flower to grow.I live in zone 8b. Put several handfuls of planting mix in hole and mix with existing soil and soil from original location. After I divided them into two bunches, the original bed remained blue, but the transplanted stalks only produced white flowers. Plus, watch past webinars on demand Water. Register today Balloon flower's new location should not retain water. When you plant balloon flowers from a seed, chances are that you will not see any blooms during their first year of growth, but with patience and proper care, the second summer, you will see some stunning blooms. Growing and Caring for Balloon Flowers. Tracy DiSabato-Aust, in her book, "The Well-Tended Perennial Garden," has another suggestion: pruning the plant halfway a month before blooming. Cacti mix to be be soaked before sowing under the weight of their blooms Gently press the seed should started. 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