Ornamental Perennial
Mariesii Balloon Flower is a charming heirloom cultivar of Platycodon grandiflorus that brings delicate, papery blooms to summer gardens across zones 3 and beyond. Growing 24 to 30 inches tall with a graceful spreading habit, this variety produces its signature balloon-like buds that unfurl into lovely flowers from June through August. The fleshy tuberous roots make it remarkably drought-tolerant once established, rewarding gardeners with reliable, low-fuss blooms year after year in full sun.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-3
30in H x 18in W
Perennial
Moderate
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The Mariesii cultivar stands out for its distinctive balloon-shaped buds, swollen, delicate pods that seem ready to pop open at any moment before revealing the true flowers within. This heirloom carries a quiet charm that appeals to gardeners seeking something a step beyond the ordinary perennial. Its tuberose root system gives it genuine drought tolerance, meaning once it's settled in, it asks very little of you while delivering consistent, elegant summer color.
Balloon flowers are primarily grown for their ornamental value in flower gardens and borders, where their delicate blooms and distinctive buds add textural interest and a touch of whimsy to summer beds.
Start seeds indoors in pots 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost, keeping temperatures at 70°F. Surface sow the seeds as they require light to germinate; expect sprouting in 15 to 30 days. When transplanting seedlings outdoors, handle them with great care—the fleshy roots are delicate and easily damaged.
Transplant outdoors after the last frost date has passed. Space plants 1 inch apart in prepared soil enriched with compost.
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last frost date has passed, surface sowing them where light can reach them.
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