{"product_id":"platycodon-grandiflorus-astra-white-balloon-flower","title":"Platycodon grandiflorus 'Astra White' - Balloon Flower","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA charming herbaceous perennial, \u003ci\u003ePlatycodon grandiflorus\u003c\/i\u003e ‘Astra White’ is known for its balloon-like flower buds that pop open into wide, star-shaped blooms in a soft white. It forms a tidy clump of dark green foliage and flowers from early to late summer, bringing a whimsical and long-lasting display to borders, containers, and cottage garden schemes.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlatycodon grandiflorus ‘Astra White’\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, commonly known as Balloon Flower, is a reliable, easy-to-grow plant that returns year after year with minimal fuss – and its unique flower buds are a joy to watch as they swell and ‘pop’ open.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xhtml\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" dir=\"ltr\" border=\"1\" data-sheets-root=\"1\" style=\"width: 100.087%;\"\u003e\n\u003ccolgroup\u003e \u003ccol width=\"97\" style=\"width: 26.4348%;\"\u003e \u003ccol width=\"92\" style=\"width: 25.0435%;\"\u003e \u003ccol width=\"178\" style=\"width: 48.5217%;\"\u003e \u003c\/colgroup\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-sheets-value='{\"1\":2,\"2\":\"Perennial\"}'\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePerennial\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-sheets-value='{\"1\":2,\"2\":\"Flower: clustered flowers on taller stems\"}'\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eUpright, Flowering, Summer Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-sheets-value='{\"1\":2,\"2\":\"Flowers June to August\"}'\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e June–August\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Spring–Autumn\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eScientific Name\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003ePlatycodon grandiflorus\u003c\/i\u003e ‘Astra White’ (from Greek \u003ci\u003eplaty\u003c\/i\u003e = broad and \u003ci\u003ekodon\u003c\/i\u003e = bell, referring to the shape of the flower; \u003ci\u003egrandiflorus\u003c\/i\u003e = large-flowered)\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCommon Name\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eBalloon Flower\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eNative to East Asia – including China, Korea, Japan, and eastern Russia\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePruning Tips\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eDeadhead spent blooms to extend flowering. Cut back stems after flowering or in autumn when foliage dies back. Mark the spot – it’s slow to re-emerge in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWildlife Value\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eAttractive to bees and other pollinators.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePositioning\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eFull sun to light shade. Best in borders, rock gardens, and containers. Stems may need light support in exposed spots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWater\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eWater regularly until established. Prefers evenly moist soil, especially during dry spells, but avoid waterlogging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoil\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eWell-drained, fertile soil is ideal. Tolerates neutral to slightly acidic soil. Improve heavy clay with compost and grit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFood\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eFeed lightly in spring with a balanced fertiliser. Too much feeding can cause floppy growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePet-safe\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eNon-toxic and safe for pets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSprouts Top Tips\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eThe buds swell like balloons before blooming – a real delight for children (and adults!) to watch. Avoid disturbing the roots when planting, as it resents being moved once established.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sprouts of Bristol","offers":[{"title":"13cm","offer_id":56403005211005,"sku":"5270258402571","price":7.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0490\/2774\/3905\/files\/platycodon-grandiflorus-astra-white-balloon-flower-3526933.jpg?v=1752109320","url":"https:\/\/sproutsofbristol.pro\/products\/platycodon-grandiflorus-astra-white-balloon-flower","provider":"Sprouts of Bristol","version":"1.0","type":"link"}