Platycodon grandiflorus 'Astra White' (Astra Series)
balloon flower 'Astra White'
A compact, clump-forming perennial to 30cm tall, making a mound of ovate, bluish-green leaves. In summer it produces clusters of large, inflated balloon-like buds; these open to upward-facing white flowers. Grow in a rock garden, container or front of a border
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Blue | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green Blue | ||
| Autumn | Green Blue | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Campanulaceae
- Native to the UK
- 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
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in deep, light, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Established plants resent disturbance
Propagation
Propagate by seed in spring, division in summer, or detatch rooted basal shoots in early summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Flower borders and beds
- Cut flowers
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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