(Balloon Flower, Fuji White Balloon Flower)

Named for its curious and ornamental inflated flower buds that open to large bell-shaped blooms, balloon flower is an upright herbaceous perennial native to eastern Asia. The Fuji Series is a tall seed-grown strain of balloon flowers that are excellent for cutting. The white bell-shaped flowers (and their bloated buds) of 'Fuji White' appear through summer atop stems clad with paired or whorled blue-green leaves. Severed stems bleed a milky sap. The rootstock is thick and fleshy.

For best growth,...

(Balloon Flower, Mariesii Balloon Flower)

Named for its curious and ornamental inflated flower buds that open to large bell-shaped blooms, balloon flower is an upright herbaceous perennial native to eastern Asia. Introduced in 1884 and still popular in gardens, the cultivar 'Mariesii' is compact and early-blooming. The full-size violet-blue flowers open in summer atop knee-high stems clad with paired or whorled blue-green leaves. The stems bleed a milky sap when cut. The rootstock is thick and fleshy.

For best growth, plant this perennial...

(Balloon Flower, Miss Tilly Balloon Flower)

Compact and heavy blooming, ‘Miss Tilly’ is a sweet cultivar of this favorite garden perennial. The common name "balloon flower" refers to its plump, balloon-shaped flower buds that precede large, open, bell-shaped flowers of bright violet-blue. These appear from midsummer to fall and are highly attractive to bees.

For best growth, plant this perennial in full to part sun and fertile, well drained soil. It makes a fine addition to mixed borders and container plantings.

(Balloon Flower, Sentimental Blue Balloon Flower)

Compact and tidy, sentimental blue balloon flower is a fine cultivar of this favorite garden perennial. The common name "balloon flower" refers to its plump, balloon-shaped flower buds that precede large, open, bell-shaped flowers of violet-blue. These appear from midsummer to fall and are highly attractive to bees.

For best growth, plant this perennial in full to part sun and fertile, well drained soil. It makes a fine addition to mixed borders and cutting gardens. Dwarf cultivars are well-suited...

(Balloon Flower, Shell Pink Balloon Flower)

Named for its curious and ornamental inflated flower buds that open to large bell-shaped blooms, balloon flower is an upright herbaceous perennial native to eastern Asia. The pale pink flowers of the cultivar 'Shell Pink' open in summer atop thigh-high stems clad with paired or whorled blue-green leaves. The stems bleed a milky sap when cut. The rootstock is thick and fleshy.

For best growth, plant this perennial in full to part sun and fertile, well drained soil. Plants emerge late in spring...

(Balloon Flower)

Named for its curious and ornamental inflated flower buds, balloon flower is an upright herbaceous perennial native to China and Manchuria. Plants in the Apoyama Group are dwarf, attaining about a third the height of most other forms of balloon flower. The full-size, bell-shaped flowers (and their bloated buds) appear through summer atop stems clad with paired or whorled blue-green leaves. Violet-, white-, purple-, and blue-flowered selections are available, some of them sold as seed. The stems bleed...

(Astra Balloon Flower)

Balloon flowers in the Astra series have compact, uniform habits and flower heavily. These herbaceous perennials are named for their inflated flower buds which open to large, gaping bell-shaped flowers that may be violet-blue, white or pink, depending on the selection. These appear through summer and are highly attractive to bees.

For best growth, plant these perennials in full to part sun and fertile, well drained soil. Plants emerge late in spring so it is best to mark their place. Deadhead...

(Fuji Balloon Flower)

Named for its curious and ornamental inflated flower buds, balloon flower is an upright herbaceous perennial native to eastern Asia. The blue, violet, white, or purple bell-shaped flowers (and their bloated buds) appear through summer atop stems clad with paired or whorled blue-green leaves. The stems bleed a milky sap when cut. The rootstock is thick and fleshy. Many cultivars – chosen for their color or form – are available, including double-flowered and dwarf selections.

For best growth, plant...

(American Mandrake, Mayapple)

A harbinger of spring in the woodland garden, mayapple boats large lobed leaves that produce umbrellas over the small white and fragrant flowers. An herbaceous perennial that that creeps its underground stems (rhizomes) to form large mat-like sweeps, it is native to southeastern North America's deciduous forests.

Lightly bronzed when first emerging, the leaves unfurl upon a tall stem and become a rounded blade with teethed lobes. They mature to a medium to dark green. In mid-spring, before overstory...

(Hybrid Jacob's Ladder)

The powdery-blue flowers and fine-textured, ferny leaves of ‘Blue Pearl’ Jacob's ladder bring delight to a late spring garden. This clump-forming perennial is a complex hybrid derived from plants native to the mountainous regions of the Northern Hemisphere where the soils are cool and moist.

The fern-like leaves of this selection are sword-shaped and divided into dozens of tiny leaflets that are held out perpendicularly to the central stem, resembling the rungs of a ladder. In late spring or...