The longest-blooming perennials in my garden this past season were the Balloon Flowers (Platycodon grandiflorus). Some of them even flowered into November. I grow several different varieties, but my favorite one is simply called ‘Single Blue.’ It has beautiful blue-purple blossoms and grows about two feet tall.
Balloon Flowers have taproots that look like big white carrots. They are reputedly difficult to transplant or divide, but I move mine all the time (I’ll move anything, I’ve even successfully moved roses and butterfly bushes. You just have to be careful to take as much soil around the plant’s roots as possible).
Balloon Flowers are one of the last perennials to peek up in the spring, so it’s good to mark them carefully so you don’t step on or dig up the tender shoots. They do well in full sun or partial shade. They can get floppy, but if you cut them back in late May, they will grow shorter on sturdier stems.
If you deadhead them regularly, Balloon Flowers will bloom all summer and into fall. Unlike other perennials whose foliage stays green until a frost or freeze kills it, Balloon Flower foliage perks up the waning fall garden by turning a gorgeous shade of golden-yellow.
Balloon flowers also come in pink or white, but the blues and purples are my favorite.
2 comments
Hi Em,
I stumbled upon your blog while searching for information about planting the ‘Albus’ balloonflower taproot that SpringHill Nursery sent me. I was wondering if you know anything about how to plant it? I stuck it in a container with the top of the root right at the soil line, and it had three little green nubs growing, but two of them recently died or broke off. I’m wondering if I didn’t give it a deep enough pot. Any thoughts? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I guess it never dawned on me that they could be sold as taproots. I’ve only purchased them as plants. I would’ve done exactly what you did. I wouldn’t think that your pot would be too small as long as the entire root fit comfortably in it. I’ve accidentally knocked off new growth from balloon flowers in the spring and they’re pretty good at sending up new shoots. Hopefully yours will do the same!
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