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Platycodon grandiflorus, balloon flower, is a long-lived perennial and the perfect flower for a mixed bed or as a stand-alone specimen. The buds swell and become puffy and full before the five-lobed blossoms of balloon flower appear, hence the common name. A member of the bell flower/campanula family, blooms begin in summer and last into fall.
Balloon flowers are a beloved garden plant known for their puffy balloon-like buds and vibrant star-shaped blooms. Their long bloom time from late spring through fall makes them a popular choice for perennial borders and cut flower gardens. But exactly how long is the blooming season of balloon flowers? Let’s take a closer look at what to expect.
Balloon flowers (Platycodon grandiflorus) are part of the campanula or bellflower family and originate from East Asia. The common name comes from the unique buds that swell into big puffy balloons right before opening. These inflated buds make a popping sound when squeezed, which delights gardeners and kids.
Mature balloon flower plants reach 1-2 feet tall and form clumps of bushy foliage. The five-lobed flowers come in shades of blue, purple, pink and white. In addition to the long bloom season, balloon flowers have a lot to offer:
- Thrive in a wide range of conditions
- Attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds
- Make beautiful cut flowers
- Foliage turns gold in fall for seasonal interest
When to Expect Blooms
The bloom time of balloon flowers depends on the age of the plant
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First Year: Planted in spring, blooms arrive in mid to late summer and last 10-12 weeks when deadheaded.
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Second Year Established plants bloom much earlier starting in late spring Flowers continue through summer into early fall, lasting 16 weeks or more
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Peak Bloom: Maximum number of blooms and balloon buds happens in early to mid summer. But individual buds only last 1-2 days before opening to the star shape.
Factors That Influence Bloom Time
Several factors impact the duration of bloom for balloon flowers:
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Sunlight: Full sun promotes the most prolific flowering. Less sun equals fewer blooms.
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Soil: Fertile, rich soil encourages longer bloom times. Poor thin soil reduces flowers.
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Plant Age: Young plants bloom for a shorter time than mature plants.
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Deadheading: Removing spent blooms extends bloom time significantly.
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Climate: Cooler zones boost bloom time. Hot climates need some shade.
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Variety: Dwarf types bloom 1-2 weeks less than standard 24-30 inch varieties.
Tips to Maximize Bloom Time
Here are some tips to get the longest blooms from your balloon flowers:
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Plant in full sun (at least 6 hours) in organically rich soil.
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Water 1 inch per week allowing soil to slightly dry between waterings.
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Apply balanced fertilizer or compost in early spring.
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Stake tall varieties to prevent flopping over.
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Prune leggy stems in late spring for bushier regrowth.
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Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage reblooming.
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Divide congested clumps every 2-3 years in early spring.
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Monitor for pests like slugs that can damage buds.
Enjoying Balloon Flowers as Cut Flowers
The unique inflated buds of balloon flowers make them perfect for cutting. Follow these steps for the best results:
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Cut blooms when buds are partially inflated but still closed.
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Cut in the morning after dew dries but before heat builds.
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Include some foliage when cutting stems.
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Remove lower leaves and sear the cut end to prevent sap flow.
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Place in a vase with fresh flower food.
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Expect cut blooms to last 7-10 days.
The buds will continue expanding into their open star shape after cutting. It’s always fun to watch them “pop” in the vase!
Blooming All Season Long
Balloon flowers are a long blooming garden staple, with their signature puffy buds and vivid blossoms. With proper site selection, soil preparation, and care they will flower for 3-4 months. Plant them in full sun, provide rich fertile soil, deadhead spent blooms, and enjoy their beauty from early summer into fall. Their long bloom time, vivid colors, and popping buds make balloon flowers an exceptional choice for any garden.
Do Balloon Flowers Need Deadheading?
You may ask, do balloon flowers need deadheading? The answer is yes, at least if you want to take advantage of the longest bloom period. You can let the flowers go to seed early if you want to feature other blooms in the same area.
You can keep your plants bursting with blooms all season by using this technique of balloon flower pruning along with some deadleafing (removal of spent leaves). This keeps more flowers coming if you remove the fading bloom before it goes to seed, along with the top leaves. Seeding of just one flower signals the others that time has come to stop producing flowers.
Life Stages of Balloon Flowers
FAQ
Will balloon flowers spread?
Yes, balloon flowers (Platycodon grandiflorus) can spread, primarily through self-seeding.
Do balloon flowers bloom twice?
If you dead head balloon flowers, you’ll get a second bloom late summer.
How often should I water balloon flowers?
How long do balloon flowers take to germinate?
Balloon Flowers from Seeds usually take two to three weeks to germinate well. But again it depends on other factors like sunlight, water, and soil. It’s a good idea to move seed them into the larger pots before transplanting to your garden. How to grow balloon flowers?
Do balloon flowers bloom?
In addition to their long bloom time, balloon flowers have a lot to offer the garden. They thrive in a wide range of conditions, attract pollinators, make great cut flowers, and their bushy foliage turns a beautiful gold in the fall. When
How long do balloon flowers last?
With proper care, you can enjoy 3-4 months of blooms per season. Plant them in full sun, provide fertile soil, deadhead spent flowers, and watch these beauties re-bloom. Balloon flowers will delight you with colorful, Poppable blooms from early summer into fall. If playback doesn’t begin shortly, try restarting your device.
Do balloon flowers grow in the first year?
In any case, the seed-grown plants don’t produce flowers in the first year. Balloon flowers are also good at self-seeding. The spent flowers that fall from the plants develop into seeds. If you avoid deadheading, you will see that some of the seeds naturally germinate from the ground.
How tall do balloon flowers grow?
P. ‘Sentimental Blue’: This dwarf variety grows about 6 inches tall with lots of 1- to 2-inch purple flowers. Pruning generally isn’t necessary with balloon flowers, though you can do so for appearance. To achieve stockier plants, you can cut back tall stems by about half in the late spring. This can help to prevent the plants from flopping over.
How do balloon flowers grow?
Balloon flowers are easy to grow and care for when their basic needs are met. Balloon flower plants grow best in full sun. They will grow in partial shade and might benefit from shade in the afternoon in hot climates. Balloon flower thrives in organically rich, loamy, well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5.