Plant Type

Perennial

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Blue, Pink, Purple, White

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green, Grey Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Meadow

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Balloon flower is so named because the flower buds puff up like balloons, before opening to star-like blossoms. Stems are tall and lanky (see notes below). Flowers appear throughout the summer, with the heaviest blooming early on. Colors are blues, purples, pinks, and whites, depending on cultivar. A lovely addition to a perennial border, and an excellent cutting flower. Grows about 24 to 30 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide.

Grow in well drained, loamy soils in full sun to part shade. Avoid wet or poorly drained soils. Generally doesn't need dividing. Deadheading will prolong bloom period. Plant stems emerge late in spring, so be careful not to damage crowns by early cultivation; leaving old plant stems in place throughout winter helps mark plant's location. Taller plants often need to be staked because of floppy stems; consider cutting back plant stems by 1/2 in May to reduce plant height and possibly avoid staking.