Platycodon grandiflorus 'ASTRA WHITE' balloon flower

Balloon flower Astra White is another showy perennial with white flowers in summer. They are bell-shaped with 5 petals opening wide, growing on tops of 20-25 tall stems. Sometimes they show bluish veins. Buds are large and balloon-shaped. Leaves are 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 emerged already. 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 withstand -37°C (USDA zone 3).

Last update 15-07-2008