{"product_id":"seeds-balloonflower","title":"Seeds Balloonflower","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"49\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"17\"\u003eBalloonflower\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"17\" data-end=\"20\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"20\" data-end=\"47\"\u003e(Platycodon grandiflorus)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"51\" data-end=\"434\"\u003eBalloonflower is a charming perennial known for its inflated, balloon-like buds that pop open into star-shaped blue-violet flowers. Long cultivated in ornamental and medicinal gardens, this hardy plant also has a history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). With its upright habit and long-lived roots, balloonflower brings beauty and herbal value to diversified landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"441\" data-end=\"466\"\u003eKey Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"470\" data-end=\"754\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"470\" data-end=\"519\"\u003eTraditional Chinese Medicinal Root (Jie Geng)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"519\" data-end=\"522\"\u003eThe root, known in TCM as \u003cstrong data-start=\"550\" data-end=\"567\"\u003eJie Geng (桔梗)\u003c\/strong\u003e, has been traditionally used to support respiratory health, soothe sore throats, and promote healthy lung function. Roots are typically harvested in the fall of the second or third year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"758\" data-end=\"963\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"758\" data-end=\"807\"\u003eDistinctive Balloon Buds \u0026amp; Star-Shaped Blooms\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"807\" data-end=\"810\"\u003eFlower buds swell like small balloons before opening into five-pointed blue to violet blossoms. Blooms are long-lasting and make excellent cut flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"967\" data-end=\"1134\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"967\" data-end=\"1003\"\u003ePollinator-Visited Summer Blooms\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1003\" data-end=\"1006\"\u003eFlowers attract bees and other beneficial insects during mid-to-late summer, contributing nectar during a key seasonal window.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1138\" data-end=\"1337\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1138\" data-end=\"1175\"\u003eLong-Lived, Deep-Rooted Perennial\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1175\" data-end=\"1178\"\u003eDevelops a thick taproot and prefers not to be disturbed once established. Suitable for borders, herb gardens, and the herbaceous layer of food forest edges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1344\" data-end=\"1365\"\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1369\" data-end=\"1416\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1369\" data-end=\"1388\"\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-start=\"1389\" data-end=\"1414\"\u003ePlatycodon grandiflorus\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1419\" data-end=\"1470\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1419\" data-end=\"1436\"\u003eNative Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e East Asia (China, Korea, Japan)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1473\" data-end=\"1506\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1473\" data-end=\"1494\"\u003ePlant Life Cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Perennial\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1509\" data-end=\"1558\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1509\" data-end=\"1530\"\u003eSun Requirements:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to partial shade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1561\" data-end=\"1606\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1561\" data-end=\"1583\"\u003eSoil Requirements:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium, well-drained\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1609\" data-end=\"1642\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1609\" data-end=\"1627\"\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.5–2.5 feet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1645\" data-end=\"1674\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1645\" data-end=\"1660\"\u003eBloom Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e June–August\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1677\" data-end=\"1737\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1677\" data-end=\"1693\"\u003eBloom Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blue to violet (occasionally white forms)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1740\" data-end=\"1771\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"1740\" data-end=\"1765\"\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–8\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1778\" data-end=\"2138\"\u003eSurface sow in spring; light aids germination. Choose a well-drained site and avoid frequent transplanting due to the plant’s deep taproot. Harvest roots in fall after at least two full growing seasons for traditional medicinal use. In permaculture systems, integrate balloonflower into perennial herb beds where it can establish long term without disturbance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2140\" data-end=\"2284\"\u003eBalloonflower combines ornamental charm, pollinator value, and respected herbal tradition—an elegant and useful perennial for medicinal gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Strictly Medicinals","offers":[{"title":"Packet","offer_id":47789657653507,"sku":"SM-06","price":4.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0675\/1128\/8067\/files\/773E9168-9E01-4AFB-84ED-8D1FA0AE0C44.jpg?v=1773952521","url":"https:\/\/tfcnursery.com\/products\/seeds-balloonflower","provider":"The Farm Connection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}