Balloon Plant

November 15, 2024 Post a Comment

Balloon plant

Balloon Flowers are easy to grow, long-lived perennials. Long-lasting star-shaped flowers emerge from balloon-like buds in summer. Balloon flower plants will occasionally repeat bloom in the fall when old flowers are removed.

Does the balloon flower spread?

The roots are not aggressive, but this plant self-sows with vigor, spreading via new shoots that pop up in the fertile ground each spring. Plant sizes vary. The true botanical species, as found in the wild in its native lands, may reach or even exceed 36 inches tall and 18 inches wide at maturity.

Are balloon plants Hardy?

The balloon plant is easy to grow and hardy in USDA Zones 3 through 8. It will thrive in sun or partial shade. It likes well-drained, slightly acidic soil; and although the balloon flower plant will tolerate dry conditions, it prefers (and needs) plenty of moisture.

Is balloon plant toxic?

They are narrowly oblong to lanceolate. All parts of this plant exude milky white latex that is mildly poisonous if ingested.

Where is the best place to plant a balloon flower?

Whether you transplant your seedlings or go with starter plants from a nursery, place them in a sunny spot in the garden. They'll grow in partial shade, but you'll get the most flowers if the plant gets eight or more hours of sun a day. Balloon flowers prefer well-drained, loamy soil that's slightly acidic.

Do balloon flowers do well in pots?

Balloon flower does well in containers and is great for cut flowers. It attracts butterflies and is a magnet for birds. The plant looks great as a border plant and is lovely in rock gardens.

Should balloon flowers be cut back for winter?

Although balloon flowers are usually cut back in spring so the old stems can protect the plant roots from winter frost, you can also prune them back in late fall after the foliage dies back if you live in a mild climate.

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.

Do balloon flowers reseed themselves?

Part of problem is that balloon flowers self-seed very fast. The plants could be deadheaded to prevent self-seeding but this is a nerve racking, time consuming task. Each single seed pod has to be clipped off in order to leave the remaining buds or open blossoms.

Is balloon plant toxic to dogs?

Early symptoms of poisoning are restlessness and drooling; later symptoms are muscle weakness, respiratory distress, and death. There is no cure. Balloon Flower is a tall spikey plant bearing near purple flowers, like monkshood; plant it instead and keep your pets and yourself safe.

How do you winterize a balloon plant?

Typically, you can simply cover the plant in an inch or two of mulch to protect it, but you can also use compost or leaves that fall from the trees to cover the plants and keep them moist and warm all winter. When spring arrives, uncover the plant so that it can start to grow.

Are balloon vines invasive?

Balloon vine (Cardiospermum grandiflorum) is an invasive tendril climber growing in damp situations, often near river banks. It forms dense but localised infestations and competes with, and smothers, indigenous plant species.

How big does a balloon plant get?

Genus Name	Platycodon
Height	6 to 6 inches
Width	null to 1 foot
Flower Color	Blue, Pink, White
Season Features	Summer Bloom

Are balloon flowers fragrant?

Balloon flower, Penstemon palmeri is a showy perennial with tall spikes of large pale pink to white flowers, over silver leaves. The flowers of this Penstemon are fragrant! They smell like roses.

How tall do balloon plants get?

This easy-care perennial gets its common name from its balloon-like buds that swell up just before they open. Balloon flower grows 12 to 20 inches high and looks great in rock gardens, mixed borders, or cutting gardens. Besides blue, balloon flower is also available in white and pink varieties.

How long do balloon flowers live?

Balloon flowers reach a height of 12 to 20 inches and are ideal for rock gardens, mixed borders, and cutting gardens. Balloon flowers are also available in white and pink. Balloon flower is a long-lived, deer-resistant perennial that will last for many years if established.

Does balloon flower bloom all summer?

This easy-grower blooms all summer long with intense blue-violet flowers, but there are also cultivars with white and pink blooms. Balloon flowers are generally planted in the spring after the danger of frost has passed, growing quickly to bloom in the first year.

Will rabbits eat balloon flowers?

Annuals frequently eaten by rabbits
Bachelor's Button	Centaurea cyanus
Baby's Breath	Gypsophila paniculata
Balloon Flower	Platycodon grandiflorus
Bellflower	Campanula species

Do balloon flowers like coffee grounds?

Don't fertilize balloon flowers. Organically-rich soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5 provides plenty of nutrition, while too much nitrogen from fertilizer can cause leggy stems. If soil tests show too much acidity, add lime, and to add acidity, use coffee grounds.

Is a balloon flower indoor or outdoor?

Balloon flower prefers a light spot, and can even tolerate full sun. It requires a lot of water - don't allow the soil to dry out. Give it plant food once a week to encourage flowering. It can be placed indoors or outdoors in the warmer months.