General Culture:
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Division and transplanting are possible but tricky because of the fragile, fleshy root systems of these plants, and it is probably best to leave plants undisturbed once established. Deadheading spend flowers generally prolongs the bloom period. New season plant stems emerge late in spring, so gardeners must be careful not to damage crowns by early cultivation (leaving old plant stems in place throughout winter to the point when the new growth first appears helps mark plant locations).
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Balloon flower is a clump-forming perennial that is so named because its flower buds puff up like balloons before bursting open into outward-to-upward-facing, bell-shaped flowers with five pointed lobes. ‘Hakone Blue’ features bright blue double flowers (2-3” across) that appear singly or in small clusters atop stems typically growing to 18-24” tall. Dentate, lance-shaped leaves. Blooms throughout the summer.
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. Plants emerge late in spring.
Uses:
Rock gardens or border fronts. Containers.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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