Balloon flower, “astra pink”
Platycodon grandiflorus
Bellflower family, Campanulaceae
Non-native. Native to eastern Asia. Large pink flowers. Blooms throughout summer. Dwarf cultivar, grows 8 to 10 inches tall. Best grown in rich well-drained soil, full sun. Slow to establish but long-lived, low maintenance. Remove spent flowers to prolong bloom period.
Stems emerge late. Flowers bloom from large plump balloon-like buds.
Genus name Platycodon comes from Greek words platys meaning “broad” and kodon meaning “bell” for the shape of the flower. Species name grandiflorus means large-flowered. Common name “balloon flower” because its flower buds puff up like balloons before opening.
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