Balloon Flower 'Mariesii'

Platycodon grandiflorus

Balloon flower is for those of us that love the tall lavender blue Campanulas of spring and want to carry their rich hues and graceful wands of bloom throughout summer. This long-lived stalwart of cottage gardens has dusty blue buds that swell into a balloon and then open into deep-throated stars, late in the day closing to be replaced by a freshly blooming flower the next day. Deadheading is a must, but not a chore, I, for one, can't resist the satisfying pop as the faded flowers separate from the stem. The glossy dark green leaves turn golden yellow in fall, adding another season of interest. If your plants get too tall and need corralling, try pinching the stems once in mid-spring for more compact branching growth.