Platycodon 'Balloon Flower' Mixed Seeds

Platycodon grandiflorus is a Hardy Perennial (H5). It is a long-lived member of the Campanula family that thrives in the UK climate, standing up well to summer rain and wind without the need for staking.

The Late Starter: One of the most important things to know about Balloon Flowers is that they are very late to break dormancy in the spring. In the UK, they may not show signs of life until May. It is a good idea to mark their position in the border so you don't accidentally dig them up during spring weeding!

RHS Excellence: This species holds the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM), signifying its reliability, pest resistance, and overall excellent performance in British gardens.

Balloon Flowers are easy to grow from seed, though they require a little patience during the germination phase.

How to Sow:
Sow indoors from February to May. Surface sow the seeds onto moist, well-drained seed compost. Do not cover the seeds with soil as they need light to trigger germination; instead, gently press them into the surface. Keep at around 20°C. Germination usually takes 14-21 days.

Transplanting:
Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, move them into individual 9cm pots. Plant them out in their final position once the risk of frost has passed. Note: Established plants have a deep taproot and strongly resent being moved, so choose their "forever home" carefully.

Where to Plant:
They prefer full sun or partial shade and thrive in deep, light, fertile soil that is well-drained. They particularly dislike heavy, waterlogged clay in winter. If your soil is heavy, add plenty of grit to the planting hole to ensure good drainage.

Ongoing Care:
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage further blooms throughout the summer. In late autumn, the foliage often turns a beautiful clear gold; once it has withered, cut the stems back to the ground.

Balloon Flowers bloom in late summer. Pair them with these late-season stars from our collection to keep the display going until autumn:

• 💜 Verbena Bonariensis: The Height & Light. The airy, purple wands of Verbena rise above the solid, star-shaped mounds of the Platycodon, adding movement and a "see-through" effect to your border.
• 🍂 Rudbeckia 'Autumn Forest': The Warm/Cool Mix. The rich bronze and burnt orange tones of Rudbeckia provide a stunning colour contrast to the cool violet-blue bells of the Balloon Flower.

Sow in spring for flowers that will return faithfully every year.