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.