About This Plant
Balloon Flower ‘Sentimental Blue’ is a charming compact perennial with inflated, balloon-like buds that open into star-shaped, violet-blue flowers throughout summer. Its tidy, upright habit and long-lasting blooms make it a lovely choice for borders, containers, cottage gardens, and mixed perennial plantings. The flowers attract pollinators and make excellent cut flowers.
Planting & Care
How to Plant
Choose a spot with 6+ hours of direct sun. Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and plant at the same depth it was growing, gently loosening the roots. Water deeply after planting and add 2–3 in of mulch, keeping it off the stems. Hardy in USDA zones 3-8.
Watering & Feeding
Water deeply 1–2 times a week for the first season, about 1 in per week. Keep soil evenly moist, especially during heat and dry spells. Top-dress with compost in spring; most perennials don't need much fertilizer.
Pruning & Seasonal Care
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms. Cut back after a hard frost, or leave stems standing for winter interest and tidy up in spring. Divide every 3–4 years if the center thins. Mulch in late fall to protect roots through the first winter.