Balloon flower, also known as Chinese bellflower, has been a favorite of many plant enthusiasts for more than 50 years, yet it’s still not found in many gardens. I hope this article and my video increase it’s popularity.
Balloon-shaped flower buds pop open into beautiful blue, white, pink, or purple flowers in summer. They emerge late in the spring and are long-lived and low maintenance.
They are hardy in zones 4-9. In cooler areas they prefer full sun, in warmer areas; partial shade.
Some special characteristics to consider are that this plant is pretty much deer resistant, non-aggressive, non-invasive although they are not native to North America. These plants originate from China and Japan.
This plant is so easy to grow from seed. If you’re looking for a carefree perennial that produces reliable blooms year after year, you can’t beat balloon flowers.
Watch the video me and the donkeys made for you:
Ruthann asked if they came in a tall? If you call 2-3 ft tall yes they do. This year I even had a flower with 6 points and one with 4 point. They are one of our favorite flowers. If I knew how to post a pic I would. Steve D
Hi Mike,
I have some variety of balloon flower but it doesn’t seem like the blooms last very long. Do you think it would help with flowering if I cut off the spent blooms? Same thing with Daylillys.
Kevin,
Yes, remove the spent flowers for sure.
Mike , I have some variety of balloon. Flower, but doesn’t seem like the blooms last very long. Do you think it would make a difference if I cut off the spent blooms? Same thing with daylilys, does cutting off spent blooms extend the blooming?
I had a lovely circle of blue balloon flowers (they also come in white) around the lamp post for many years and then a shrew chewed them all off. I actually saw the shrew cross over the garden soil as I was weeding one day – too fast to catch. Now I have just 2 or 3. They were very dense and were 18 – 14 inches tall. I love them! I will try planting from their seeds.
What does it mean to Heel in cuttings?
Deborah,
When we heel in, we just temporarily plant them in sand or soil, often in bunches.
I was told it means that it’s a temp location too. As well, it supposed to be planted in a type of ‘slanted’ fashion. That way if it roots heavy, you can get them out easier. I used this technique on my baby trees from the Arbor Day Society. They send out very small trees live for certain donations.
I have some of those Chinese bellflowers and I live near Boston, mass and mine bloom in July.. Very beautiful flower..
I’ve had this one small plant for over 30 years. My SIL gave it to me from her landscaping & when we moved 24 years ago I brought it with me. It has stayed the same size . . . About 18 inches tall & covered in blooms every year. I’ve transplanted it here a couple of times also. We are in Ohio also, zone 6. Just love it & your emails full of advice Mike!
Do they come in a tall variety? Will they “root run” ie, travel under ground to spread?
Propagation?
Thanks!
Love those donkeys !
RuthAnn,
The most reliable method of propagation seems to be from seed. Tall? I don’t think so, but can’t say for sure and I don’t know how they actually spread once planted.
Ruth Ann,
I’ve had a few blue balloon plants for 4 and 5 years and they do not have any underground runners, My plants have gotten a little larger in diameter each year but it stays in a compact, upright form, never sprawling away from it’s slowly growing diameter.
I believe I purchased small pots, maybe 4″ or 5″. Now they are about 10″ in diameter. The first year I bought three and planted them about 12 to 14 inches apart. Now, 5 years later at first glance they appear to be one large bunch but if I look closer I can see there are definitely three plants. Maybe in another year or two they will be one mass if they continue slowly expanding.
The year after planting my first balloon flowers I came across one plant in a store near the end of the season so grabbed it and planted it in a different area with some ‘Happy Day’ yellow dayllies. I need to get more of the blue balloon flowers for that grouping. The one plant looks lonely among the yellow daylillies – guess I’ll try starting some seeds!
Mine are ‘Sentimental Blue’ variety also. I still have the tag and it says 6 to 8 inches tall but, except for maybe the first year mine have always grown to about 24 inches tall each summer. The stems die down each winter and it’s full height is grown fresh each year.
Mine only get morning sun for about two to three hours. I notice they lean toward the sun a bit, so maybe they’d be a bit happier with more sun. They are easy care – I seldom have time to water, so my plants have to be pretty tough. I’m in northwest Ohio zone 6a.
Thank you, thank you Mike. You’re the best!
I love these flowers, the balloon flowers! the color is beautiful! I’ve never seen them before. And your donkeys are great! I’ve always wanted one but people have said they can be mean.
Would this plant make it in Sarasota Fl.? Zone 10 or 11…Maybe in part shade?
Bernie,
It might for a while, but being a perennial it needs to rest during the winter and in your zone that’s not likely to happen.