SENTIMENTAL BLU BALLOON FLOWER -

6-9 Inches Tall 24-30 Inches Wide--

Platycodon grandiflorus 'Sentimental Blue' is a classic, award-winning dwarf cultivar known for its exceptionally large, upward-facing blooms. Unlike the double-petaled varieties, 'Sentimental Blue' features traditional single, star-shaped flowers in a rich, deep violet-blue that can reach up to 3 inches across. It forms a neat, uniform mound of clean, bluish-green foliage that stays very compact, typically topping out at only 6 to 9 inches in height. This makes it an outstanding choice for rock gardens, small garden pockets, or as a reliable "filler" in mixed perennial containers where a saturated blue-purple hue is needed from mid-summer into early fall.

For its ideal spot, 'Sentimental Blue' flourishes in full sun to light, partial shade and requires a location with excellent drainage to prevent its thick taproot from rotting during the winter. It is particularly valued for its heat tolerance and its ability to withstand the humidity of an Ohio summer without flopping or becoming leggy. Once you have chosen a permanent home for it, minimal care is required; simply deadhead the spent "balloons" to encourage a second flush of flowers. Like other balloon flowers, it is slow to break dormancy in the spring, so it is helpful to leave the previous year's stems partially intact or use a marker, so you don't accidentally disturb the crown before it emerges.

Platycodon 'Sentimental Blue'

Full Sun

blue flower

Zone: 3