Balloon Flower Fuji White

Ballon Flower Fuji White or Platycodon grandiflorus ‘Fuji White’,

is a perennial that got its name from the way it blooms its flowers.  As the buds grow, they go upright in the shape of a ballon before they open up.  Before they open if they are squeezed the blooms will make a pop, letting out the air inside.  Once open the petals are open, they form a bell shape with 5-pointed petals.  They bloom from June-August and grow in full sun to part shade.  It grows easily from seed and it much harder to propagate due to its fragile root system.  Deadheading will help prolong other blooms on this plant.  New stems will emerge late spring, so it is important not to damage crowns when cultivating.  They can also grow tall and may need to be tied to keep from dropping over.  It has a hardiness zone of 4-8.  It grows 1.5-2ft tall and 1-1.5ft wide.  It is shipped in a 1-gallon container.