Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Sentimental Blue Balloon Flower: Pop-Open Bells for the Front Edge
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Sentimental Blue balloon flower is a dwarf, only 6 to 8 inches tall, that blooms heavily for its size. Its buds swell into small, five-sided balloons before splitting open into upward-facing, star-shaped bells in medium violet-blue with fine darker veins.
Kids, and plenty of adults, cannot resist squeezing the buds to make them pop. The plant forgives this.
Sentimental Blue at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Platycodon grandiflorus 'Sentimental Blue' |
| Flowers | Violet-blue stars, 1.5 to 2 inches across, from balloon buds |
| Foliage | Small, oval, toothed and bluish green |
| Size | 6 to 8 inches tall, about 12 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early July, peaks mid-July |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Wildlife | Bees visit; moderately deer resistant |
A low blue ribbon in front of lavender
Lavender can look a little leggy at the base, especially older plants. A row of Sentimental Blue along the front hides those stems and adds a second shape: flat-faced stars below upright spikes. The violet-blue tone sits right beside lavender's purple on the color wheel, so the effect is harmonious rather than contrasting.
Its timing helps too. It blooms in July, as many English lavenders reach their peak, and with deadheading it carries on for several weeks. In very hot afternoon sun the blue can fade, so a spot with a little late-day shade on the east side of a lavender bed is ideal.
Planting and care
- Soil: well drained, of almost any quality. Soggy soil is the main risk, through root and crown rot.
- Water: regularly while it establishes, then it tolerates dry spells.
- Deadheading: pinch off individual spent flowers to keep new ones coming.
- Spring: it is one of the last perennials to emerge. Mark the spot so you do not dig into the crown.
- Do not move it: established plants have a fleshy taproot and resent being transplanted. Choose its home carefully.
Aphids and whiteflies occasionally appear, but it is rarely troubled by disease or humid weather.
Containers and rock gardens
At this size it is a natural for pots, window boxes and rock gardens. A shallow bowl of Sentimental Blue beside a potted compact lavender makes a tidy blue-and-purple pairing on a sunny step. Its flowers are not good for cutting, so enjoy them where they grow.
Plug tray or bare root
Choose a 72-cell plug tray for edging long beds or for potting up your own plants, or a bare root plant for a single spot. See each product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Why has my balloon flower not come up?
Give it time. Balloon flowers are very late to sprout in spring, often well after everything else is green.
How is this different from regular balloon flower?
The species grows much taller. Sentimental Blue stays 6 to 8 inches, which suits edging and containers.
Is it edible?
The species' root is used as a vegetable in Korean cooking, but this plant is grown for its flowers, not for eating.
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