Platycodon, Balloon Flower, Chinese Bellflower, Japanese Bellflower 'Sentimental Blue'

Platycodon grandiflorus

Family
Campanulaceae (kam-pan-yew-LAY-see-ee)
Genus
Platycodon (plat-ee-KO-don)
Species
grandiflorus (gran-dih-FLOR-us)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Dark Blue
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are good for cutting
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From herbaceous stem cuttings
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Direct sow as soon as the ground can be worked
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Clayton, California

Magalia, California

Paradise, California

Stockton, California

Grand Junction, Colorado

Glastonbury, Connecticut

Casselberry, Florida

Vidalia, Georgia

Cherry Valley, Illinois

Edgewood, Illinois

Mount Prospect, Illinois

Fishers, Indiana

Greenville, Indiana

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Inwood, Iowa

Wichita, Kansas

Hazard, Kentucky

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Belle Chasse, Louisiana

Pollock, Louisiana

Centerville, Massachusetts

Dracut, Massachusetts

Springfield, Massachusetts

Uxbridge, Massachusetts

Worcester, Massachusetts

Constantine, Michigan

Farmington, Michigan

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Harrison, Michigan

Madison Heights, Michigan

Oxford, Michigan

Royal Oak, Michigan

Saginaw, Michigan

Traverse City, Michigan

Kasota, Minnesota

Florence, Mississippi

Madison, Mississippi

Piedmont, Missouri

Denville, New Jersey

Flanders, New Jersey

New Milford, New Jersey

Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey

Campbell Hall, New York

Hilton, New York

Cary, North Carolina

Clemmons, North Carolina

Davidson, North Carolina

Dunn, North Carolina

Flat Rock, North Carolina

Warren, Ohio

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Dover, Pennsylvania

Millersburg, Pennsylvania

Spring Grove, Pennsylvania

Anderson, South Carolina

Conway, South Carolina

Aberdeen, South Dakota

Hendersonville, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee

Fort Worth, Texas

Georgetown, Texas

Rowlett, Texas

Tyler, Texas

Salt Lake City, Utah

Birdsnest, Virginia

Charlottesville, Virginia

Raphine, Virginia

Virginia Beach, Virginia

East Port Orchard, Washington

Freeland, Washington

Parkwood, Washington

Port Orchard, Washington

Charleston, West Virginia

Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin

Janesville, Wisconsin

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

6
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
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P
P
Virginia Beach, VA | June 2006 | positive

It came with the house here in Va Beach, VA and I nearly pulled it out as a weed this spring. So Glad I did not!! It is very petite and j...Read More

T
Warren, OH | July 2005 | positive

This is the cutest little plant! They dont take up much space, and the buds do resemble hot air balloons before they open. It does like ...Read More

S
S
Millersburg, PA (Zone 6b) | April 2005 | positive

This old fashioned favorite is one of the last to sprout up in the spring. It is easy to overlook its sprouts and pull it out for a weed!

S
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | October 2004 | neutral

My oldest daughter picked this plant out for us and it really bloomed a lot at first, then slumped all summer and started back blooming a...Read More

K
K
Oostburg, WI (Zone 5b) | April 2004 | positive

I enjoy this plant, it spreads slowly every year and is about 2 ft. across in it's 4th year. It is a sleepyhead and is the last plant to ...Read More

D
New Orleans, LA (Zone 9a) | November 2003 | neutral

This plant is a hybridized native of the southern US. The native form is tall and sparse, but has the same gorgeous flowers, though a so...Read More

M
M
Memphis, TN (Zone 7b) | June 2003 | positive

It grows in full sun or dappled sun. If you deadhead, it blooms from late May til October. Mine in dappled sun reach 15-20" in height. ...Read More

G
Tyler, TX (Zone 8b) | June 2003 | positive

I have had one balloon flower for eight years.I transplanted it from another garden and it survived.It dies back in the winter and comes ...Read More

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