Platycodon 'Astra White' is a charming balloon flower cultivar celebrated for its pristine white star shaped blooms and compact growth habit. Easy to grow and adds a bright accent to gardens.
Height & Spread: 18 - 24 in x 18 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Mid to late summer
Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade
Soil Preference: Well drained, fertile soil with moderate moisture
Watering Needs: Moderate; regular watering promotes continuous blooming
Deer Resistance: Moderate
Native Status
Native to East Asia, Platycodon grandiflorus is widely grown for ornamental purposes. This cultivar is selected for its striking pure white flowers and tidy form.
Wildlife & Insects
Butterflies
- Attracts swallowtails and skippers looking for nectar from its open bell shaped flowers.
Bees
- Visited by native bumblebees and honeybees gathering pollen and nectar.
Hummingbirds
- Occasionally attracted to the bright white blooms for nectar.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space plants 18 - 24 in apart to allow room for growth without overcrowding.
Landscape Placement
- Well suited for borders, rock gardens, and containers providing bright contrast and clean color.
Companion Plants
- Coreopsis verticillata (Threadleaf Coreopsis) - Provides fine textured foliage and yellow flowers that contrast with white blooms.
- Salvia nemorosa (Woodland Sage) - Offers deep violet flower spikes that enhance the crisp white flowers.
- Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) - Adds fragrant silvery foliage to complement balloon flower leaves.
- Gaillardia aristata (Blanket Flower) - Introduces warm red and yellow tones to the planting scheme.
- Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) - Attracts pollinators with its purple flowers and balances the white balloon flowers visually.