Balloon Flowers 2008

Balloon Flower (Chinese Bellflower) - Platycodon grandiflorus

We have an abundance of these flowers growing in and around our pool area - the pictures below are just a few. They've been reseeding and multiplying all on their own these past few years and look quite nice now that they're blooming and mixed in with the other flowers, i.e. purple cone flower and black-eyed Susan's, which are also in full bloom. We have white and blue with some cross pollinating too, which produced some interested combinations last year. Actually, last year Emilie enjoyed popping these when in the balloon phase. I've not caught her doing it this year and can only hope that she's got this out of her system.

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Balloon flowers are one of the easiest perennials you'll ever grow, and they bloom in profusion in mid to late summer, when many other perennials are beginning to fade. You won't find a more carefree perennial!

Bellflower Interesting Tip:
To make the flowers last in the vase, sear the stems with a match or candle flame immediately after cutting.

Bellflower Interesting Fact:
The root of this species (radix platycodi) is used extensively in Asia as an anti-inflammatory in the treatment of coughs and colds. In Korea the plant is known as doraji and its root, either dried or fresh, is a popular ingredient in salads and traditional herbal cooking. However, Chinese bellflower and Korean bellflower are different. Chinese bellflower is used in traditional Chinese medicine.