Can balloon flowers be transplanted?
Balloon flowers have a long taproot and don’t like to be transplanted, so this isn’t a great plant to divide and share. If you do divide them, don’t dig up the whole plant. Instead, slice off a piece of it with a knife, taking care to get a piece of the root.
Should balloon flowers be cut back?
Although balloon flowers are usually cut back in spring so the old stems can protect the plant roots from winter frost, you can also prune them back in late fall after the foliage dies back if you live in a mild climate.
Does a balloon flower come back every year?
How fast do balloon flowers grow? Planted in the early spring after the threat of frost has passed, balloon flowers should bloom during their first season. However, you also can plant them later in the growing season (spring to fall), though you might not get blooms until their second year.
When should you cut back balloon flowers?
Cut all stems by one-half in late spring to encourage more branching, and compact, bushy growth. In fall, after the growing season is over, you may also cut all of the dead stems to the ground. You can also prune in early spring, just as the new growth appears.
When can I transplant balloon flowers?
What you may not know is that balloon flower is one of several perennials with a taproot and such plants are not fond of being moved once established. If you have to, it is best to transplant them in spring.
How do you take care of a balloon plant?
It will thrive in sun or partial shade. It likes well-drained, slightly acidic soil; and although the balloon flower plant will tolerate dry conditions, it prefers (and needs) plenty of moisture. This cold hardy plant also prefers cooler conditions in summer, so afternoon shade is a good idea for warmer regions.
How do you keep balloon flowers blooming?
You can keep your plants bursting with blooms all season by using this technique of balloon flower pruning along with some deadleafing (removal of spent leaves). This keeps more flowers coming if you remove the fading bloom before it goes to seed, along with the top leaves.
How tall do balloon flowers grow?
Balloon Flower
| genus name | Platycodon |
|---|---|
| height | Under 6 inches 6 to 12 inches 1 to 3 feet |
| width | To 1 foot wide |
| flower color | Blue White Pink |
| season features | Summer Bloom |
Will balloon flowers rebloom if deadheaded?
Balloon flowers benefit from deadheading. This process removes the spent blossoms before they begin producing seed, encouraging the plant to produce more flowers.
How do you get balloon flowers to rebloom?
Deadheading a balloon flower is a worthwhile chore. In summer, you can prune further down and remove up to one-third of the branches for a total rebloom. Deadheading a balloon flower doesn’t take long, but your efforts will be rewarded largely with a bounty of blooms.