Sentimental Blue is a dwarf balloon flower, only 6 to 8 inches tall, with inflated buds that open into blue bell-shaped flowers in midsummer. It blooms heavily for its size.
Its low habit makes it a natural for the front of a border, rock gardens and containers. It is rarely troubled by pests or disease, bees visit the flowers, and deer browse it less than many perennials, though they may nibble it.
What it looks like
Buds swell into small, rounded, five-sided balloons that open into star-shaped bells about 1.5 to 2 inches across with five pointed lobes, in medium violet-blue with fine darker veins. The flowers sit close over the foliage, facing upward, with balloon buds tucked among them. Leaves are small, oval, toothed and bluish green on short stems. The plant forms a low, compact mound about 6 to 8 inches tall and 12 inches wide. At peak bloom the tiny mound is covered in blue stars and buds.
Growing it with lavender
This dwarf balloon flower shares lavender's taste for sun and good drainage, and its low blue bells make a neat edging in front of lavender plants in midsummer.
Care
Grow in full sun to part shade in well-drained soil of almost any quality; it tolerates dry spells once established. Hardy in zones 3-8. It is one of the last perennials to sprout in spring, so mark its spot, and avoid moving established plants because of the fleshy taproot; deadhead to extend bloom.
At a glance
-
Botanical name: Platycodon grandiflorus
-
Flower color: Violet-blue
-
Foliage: Bluish green
-
Growth habit: Low, compact mound
-
Mature size: 6–8 in tall × 12 in wide
-
USDA hardiness zones: 3–8
-
Light: full sun, part sun to part shade
-
Bloom start: Early-July
-
Peak bloom: Mid-July
-
Bloom pattern: Long Blooming
-
Deer resistance: Moderately resistant
-
Pollinator value: Good
Sizes and shipping
Dormant bare-root plant, sold in boxes of 25 per variety (order in multiples of 25). Bare-root plants ship or are picked up March 1–May 31 only. They are soil-free, so they may ship to every state in that window. Dormant plants often show little or no top growth on arrival; plant or heel them in promptly. This plant grows a deep taproot: plant it promptly in its permanent spot, avoid moving it later, and expect it to emerge later in spring than most perennials.
Shipping note: Fleshy taproot resents disturbance, and plants emerge late in spring, so dormant plants can look empty on arrival.
Lavender companion · grow guide
Community Grower Report
