Platycodon grandiflorus 'ASTRA ROSE' balloon flower

Balloon flower is a showy perennial with white flowers in summer. Astra Rose brings a third colour to the popular ASTRA series. The flowers are large, very light pink, bell-shaped with 5 petals opening wide, growing atop 20-25 tall stems. Buds are large and balloon-shaped hence its common name. Leaves are small, narrowly ovate, toothed at margins, green or bluish green and emerge very late.

We recommend marking a place with the plant so that you don’t dig it out by mistake in the spring when all other perennials have already emerged. Balloon flower dislikes disturbance once established. It loves sun, and loamy, well-drained, fertile soil which should never dry out extremely. Use in rockeries or in the front of a herbaceous border. Fully hardy to -29°C (USDA zone 5), or if mulched it can allegedly withstand -37°C (USDA zone 3).

Last update 29-01-2014