Description
The balloon flower is a perennial of the bellflower family (Campanulaceae). In the wild it grows in eastern Asia – China, Japan and Manchuria. It grows up to 60 cm tall. Its dark green, egg- to lance-shaped leaves are irregularly toothed, and the lower ones are arranged in whorls.
The balloon flower blooms in summer, from June to July. The bell-shaped flowers are about 8 cm across and, depending on the variety, may be white, blue-violet, pink or violet. They appear at the tips of the stems singly or several together. The flower buds have a characteristic shape resembling small inflated balloons.
It is planted in borders and is also suitable as a cut flower.
Requirements
Balloon flower needs a sunny or lightly shaded position. It grows well in fertile, free-draining soils of moderate moisture. In heavy soils that flood from time to time it may rot.
Propagation
It is propagated from seed sown from March to May in a heated cold frame.