{"id":103,"date":"2025-09-22T17:09:17","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T14:09:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/?p=103"},"modified":"2025-09-22T17:09:17","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T14:09:17","slug":"how-to-grow-platycodon-balloon-flower","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/?p=103","title":{"rendered":"How to grow platycodon (balloon flower)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Platycodon grandiflorus<\/em> is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial that bears starry flowers in summer. These are mostly in shades of vivid violet-blue, although white and pink cultivars are also available. It’s a member of the Campanula<\/em> family, and its flowers look similar to those of campanulas, or bell flowers. Its distinctive buds look like balloons that are about to burst \u2013 or mini hot air balloons \u2013 hence its common name, balloon flower.<\/p>\n

Platycodon hails from East Asia and is a popular plant in Korea, Japan, China and the US. Perfect for the front of a cottage or herbaceous border or a container, it deserves to be more widely grown in the UK. It holds the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit (AGM), and also makes a good cut flower.<\/p>\n

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Where to grow platycodon<\/h3>\n

\"Platycodon<\/p>\n

The best place to grow platycodon is at the front of a border or rockery, or in a container in fertile, moist but well drained soil. It’ll thrive in sun or partial shade. Avoid growing it in heavy, waterlogged soil.<\/p>\n

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When to plant platycodon<\/h3>\n

Platycodon is best planted in spring to give it time to establish before it flowers in July and August.<\/p>\n

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How to plant platycodon<\/h3>\n

\"Planting<\/p>\n

If your garden has clay soil, add some organic matter, such as garden compost, to the planting hole. If growing in a pot, plant into peat-free, multipurpose compost.<\/p>\n

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  1. Dig a hole that is the same depth and a little wider than the rootball, and place the plant in it.\u00a0<\/li>\n
  2. Back-fill with soil and firm around the area gently, to avoid damaging the roots. <\/li>\n
  3. Water in well.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    How to care for platycodon<\/h3>\n

    \"Platycodon<\/p>\n

    Caring for a Platycodon grandiflora<\/em> is easy. Young plants need to be watered in dry periods until established, but after that they can cope with some drought and shouldn\u2019t need much watering. Feed with an all-purpose feed in spring.<\/p>\n

    Platycodon foliage is late to appear in spring, so it’s a good idea to mark the position of the plant when it dies back, to prevent disturbing it during the dormant period. Plants have fleshy tap roots that are easily damaged, so it’s best not to divide or move them once established. To protect platycodon over winter, mulch plants in the autumn, ensuring the mulch doesn\u2019t touch the stems.<\/p>\n

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    How to prune platycodon<\/h3>\n

    Deadhead the faded flowers to keep the plant blooming well, then cut back flower stems to the ground in spring just before the new shoots appear. This allows the old foliage to protect the plant through the winter and also provides a good habitat for overwintering insects. Some taller varieties have a tendency to flop, so may need staking. Alternatively, trim the stems back a little in spring to prevent them becoming too tall.<\/p>\n

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    How to propagate platycodon<\/h3>\n

    Sow playtcodon seeds in pots under cover in spring \u2013 they need light to germinate, so do not cover the compost. Harden off and gently transplant to their final position once all risk of frost has passed. Alternatively, sow direct from late spring onwards. The plants will flower the following year.<\/p>\n

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    Pests and diseases<\/h3>\n

    Platycodon is generally disease free. Slugs<\/a> and snails<\/a> may be a problem when the foliage emerges in spring, so protect the plant early on.\u00a0Plants can get leggy if they don’t have enough sun and root rot can be a problem in very heavy, wet soils.<\/p>\n

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    Advice on buying platycodon<\/h2>\n