Platycodon grandiflorus

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balloon flower

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balloon flower RHS 1989
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Other common names

Chinese balloon flower, Chinese bellflower, Japanese bellflower

Synonyms

Campanula grandiflora
Platycodon leweri
Platycodon grandiflorus blue

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Herbaceous Perennial
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A compact herbaceous perennial to 60cm in height, with blue-green, lance-shaped leaves and large, balloon-like buds opening to wide cup-shaped violet-blue flowers 5cm across

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Campanulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Platycodon are herbaceous perennials with neat, ovate leaves and terminal clusters of open bell-shaped flowers which open from large, balloon-shaped buds in late summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Far East

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, light, fertile, loamy, reliably moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. May need support; resents disturbance

Propagation

Propagate by seed in pots or in situ in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Rock garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers

Pruning

Cut back to the base in autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free