Feature Plant: Balloon Flower (Platycodon)

Welcome to This Month in the Garden!

This month's feature is Balloon flower. One of my favorite perennials in the garden, Balloon Flower is scientifically known as Platycodon grandiflorus, and is a member of  the Campanulaceae (bellflower family). It is ideally a unique perennial known for its balloon-like buds that burst into beautiful star-shaped blooms. Native to East Asia, Balloon Flower has gained popularity in gardens worldwide due to its low-maintenance nature and striking appearance. While the typical form has violet-blue blooms, there are several cultivars displaying colors ranging from blue to white and pink. These include Platycodon grandiflorus 'Komachi', the Platycodon grandiflorus 'Fuji Series', and the Platycodon grandiflorus 'Astra Series'. Platycodon grandiflorus 'Komachi' displays blue flowers that remain as balloon-shaped buds that never open, making them particularly unique and a conversation piece in the garden.  'Fuji Series' offers white, pink, and blue flowers and Platycodon grandiflorus 'Astra Series' consists of a collection of dwarf varieties at 8-10 inches high by 12 inches wide, which are perfect for smaller spaces producing compact, bushy plants. 

Platycodon grandiflorus 'Komachi' 

Balloon flowers are hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8, making them well-suited to a wide range of climates. Their resilience allows them to withstand cold winters, though they may die back completely to the ground during dormancy. In the spring, new growth emerges from the root system. Depending on the variety, balloon flowers can reach heights of 1 to 3 feet, with a spread of about 1 foot. Space plants accordingly to ensure adequate air circulation, which helps prevent fungal diseases. 

  

Growing Conditions: Platycodon grandiflorus prefers full sun to partial shade and moderate watering. The soil should be kept evenly moist but not soggy, especially in their first growing season when they are establishing roots. Once established, balloon flowers are fairly drought tolerant. Root rot is a condition that can happen in the case of poor drainage or overwatering. Make sure the plant is in well-drained soil, especially in areas with heavy rainfall. Balloon flowers are not heavy feeders. A light application of balanced fertilizer in the spring will help them grow vigorously. Over-fertilizing can lead to weak stems and reduced flowering.  Balloon flowers are relatively pest-free, though slugs and snails may nibble on young shoots. An organic slug deterrent can help protect them.  In some cases, balloon flowers may grow tall and develop weak stems that flop over. This issue can be resolved by staking taller varieties or planting them in groups where the plants can support one another.

Platycodon grandiflorus 'Komachi' 

Propagation: To propagate Balloon Flower, collect the seed pods once the flowers dry out and allow the pods to dry out completely. Once dry, break open the pods to expose hundreds of tiny, brown seeds and sow the seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost or directly outdoors in early spring. For indoors, scatter seeds on the surface of a seed-starting mix, press them lightly into the soil, but do not cover them so they can get light. Keep the soil moist and warm, at about 65°F-70°F (18°C-21°C), until seeds germinate within 2-3 weeks. Once the seedlings develop several true leaves and are large enough to manage, they can be transplanted outdoors once threat of frost is gone. Since balloon flowers have sensitive roots, seed propagation is recommended, as not to disturb the plant’s deep taproot system. If you decide to divide your plants, Spring is the best time to do so. Dig up the plant carefully to avoid damaging the taproot, and attempt division only if offsets are visible. Replant the divided sections in proper soil and water thoroughly. Note that it may take some time for the plants to recover. Propagation through seeds is known to be the easiest method, though division is possible with care. I am going to try propagating my own 'Komachi' Balloon Flowers from the seed pods I collected this September, hoping to grow more of this hard to find plant. 

Platycodon grandiflorus seed pods harvested in early fall

Balloon flowers are an excellent addition to any perennial garden. With their interesting balloon-like buds and star-like flowers, they bring charm and interest to garden beds, borders, and containers. By providing the right growing conditions, these plants will thrive with minimal maintenance and reward you with years of beautiful, long-lasting blooms!

I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden. If you have grown Balloon flower from seed, I would love to hear your experiences. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. and 15th. of each month as I continue to share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! 

 Plan your Garden with my Books! 

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening 

Landscape Design Combinations

Dream, Garden, Grow!-Musings of a Lifetime Gardener 

Gardening by Month: A Monthly Guide to Planning the Northeastern & Mid-Atlantic Garden

Shade Gardening for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

"As Always...Happy Gardening!" 

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2024. All rights reserved. 

Perennial Highlight: Echibeckia Summerina

This Month in the Garden

Welcome to This Month in the Garden! Come along for a visit on the 1st of each month to explore updates in the horticultural industry, garden design tips, gardening related locations, planting and maintenance tips, all along with new introductions into the gardening world. This months highlight is a relatively new plant in the horticultural industry, which I have personally tested, and found to be a successful addition to my zone 7 Long Island garden.

Echibeckia Summerina 'Blazing Fire'

Introduced by Pacific Plug & Liner, Echibeckia Summerina is a hybrid derived from an intergeneric cross between Echinacea (Coneflower) and Rudbeckia (Black Eyed Susan), possessing the appearance and rapid growth of Rudbeckia and the vigor and disease tolerance of Echinacea all in one plant! This herbaceous perennial displays yellow petals that start with a red ringed center in early summer, which becomes flecked throughout by fall. Depending on the variety, colors may appear lighter or darker and more towards either the yellow or orange side. Flowers that can last two to three months are three-inches in diameter on a 16-24 inch tall compact plant. 

Echibeckia 'Rainy Leaf'

Echibeckia is most hardy in zones 7-9, but may survive as far as zones 6 and 10, prefers full sun and a moderately moist soil. Echibeckia is perfect for sunny borders and cutting gardens, is drought tolerant once established, and attracts butterflies. Echibeckia is self-cleaning, which means there is no need to deadhead to extend bloom time, making this cultivar low maintenance and certainly worth a try! Newer varieties are being added to the collection, including Echibeckia 'Rainy Leaf' 'Butterscotch Biscuit' and 'Pumpernickel'. I found this beauty at a local farm stand, and it is a winner!

I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. and 15th. of each month as I continue to share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! (Linking with: Floral Fridays, Macro Monday 2, Ruby Tuesday and Image-in-ing Weekly Photo Link-Up.

~Sharing my knowledge and passion of gardening~

My Author Page and Books

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9

Landscape Design Combinations 

Dream, Garden, Grow!-Musings of a Lifetime Gardener

Gardening By Month: A Monthly Guide to Planning the Northeastern & Mid-Atlantic Garden

As Always...Happy Gardening! 😊

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2021. All rights reserved.

Book Launching-Introducing Gardening by Month

Book Launching!

While the world has been in disarray, I have been spending more time in the garden than ever and decided to put some of my energy into writing again. I had been working on a personal reference for some time, which took off by storm during the pandemic. I had done research trying to find a gardening book that listed plant interest by month, and after much searching, I could not find anything that would do just that. There are references that list plants in alphabetical order or by type, but the search came up short when looking for interesting features by month. This resulted in my fourth book. 

Book Announcement!

I am very excited to announce the publication of Gardening by Month: A Monthly Guide to Planning the Northeastern & Mid-Atlantic Garden. As a landscape designer for over 25 years, my focus always is to create a garden that has something of interest twelve months a year. I have added elements that focus on blooms, bark, berries or foliage to my own garden over the years to create something to look forward to during every season, and I now have a 12-month garden to enjoy. I have created this book so that you too can experience continuing interest in your space throughout every month of the year.

Book Description: 

Have you ever wondered if you could have interest in the garden twelve months a year? The answer is a definitive yes!  Through years of experience as a landscape designer, I have accumulated a list of plants which are hardy in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions that will provide ongoing interest for your outdoor space. Gardening by Month: A Monthly Guide to Planning the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic Garden will take you on a journey through each month of the year, while providing that perfect mix of gardening interest along the way. Colorful photographs are followed by descriptions of each plant according to bloom time, foliage color or other notable characteristics, so that you can enjoy your outdoor space during every season. Additionally, environmental needs, plant care and maintenance tips are provided for each selection with any other important information. Finally, gardening tips and a summary of gardening chores are provided for each month. Are you ready for a twelve-month interest garden? Then come along and plan away!

• Organizes plant interest by month for easy reference. 
• Plan with over 120 plant selections to choose from. 
• Colorful photographs are supplied with plant descriptions and care requirements. 
• Monthly gardening chores are suggested for each month.
• Plant maintenance and care tips are recommended to help you maintain a healthy garden. 
• Helpful pointers on soil types, characteristics and identification are given.
• Achieve the 12 month all season garden you have been looking for. 
  

So, now it is official and the Look Inside features are up and running, so you can get an idea of the book’s layout. I was also honored to be a guest on the Better Lawns and Gardens Radio Talk Show to discuss this newest book, along with offering some landscape design tips! Follow the link to listen to the interview and learn about my gardening adventures, and afterwards, come by and check out the new book!😊 That’s it for This Month in the Garden. Be sure to visit on the 1st and 15th of each month for gardening news, tips and updates in the horticultural world!

For book details and purchase, visit My Author Page & Books and thank you for your support.

 A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9

Landscape Design Combinations 

Dream, Garden, Grow!-Musings of a Lifetime Gardener

Gardening by Month: A Monthly Guide to Planning the Northeastern & Mid-Atlantic Garden

“Anyone who thinks gardening begins in the spring and ends in the fall is missing the best part of the year; for gardening begins in January and ends with the dream.” ~Josephine Nuesse 

~As Always...Happy Gardening! ~

Author: Lee@ A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2021. All rights reserved. 

This Month in the Garden: Welcome to My Long Island Garden Year in Review-A Look Back at 2018

January 2018

Happy New Year and welcome to A Guide to Northeastern Gardening's Year in Review! Looking back to 2018, it was a memorable and eventful year. January started off with the first blizzard of the winter season with Winter Storm Grayson on the 4th, with 14.6 inches of snow for our area. We've had some of the coldest days on record with temperatures in the teens, with a slight relief on the 9th with temperatures that actually got above freezing! The nice thing about the colder months is that the cone bearing evergreens and trees known for their decorative bark, such as such as Skylands Oriental Spruce and Coral Bark Maple appear even more majestic. Even the Magnolia gave hope for a new season with its buds already forming.

February 2018

February brought slight indication of the seasons changing as daylight hours gradually become longer and temperatures rose up into the 30's and 40's. After winter storm Kalani on the 30th of January with 4.4 inches of snowfall, it was a relatively quiet time as the garden rested for winter. Cones on Skylands Spruce had grown more pronounced and Holly berries gleamed red against the blue sky.

March 2018

Saying that the month of March was unpredictable would be an understatement. March came in like a lion on the 2nd. with one of the worst storms we have had in a while, bringing in high winds and torrential rains for the northeast. The rains brought renewal to the garden and with temperatures in the 40's and 50's, the landscape started to become alive. On the 7th, our first thunder snow in years brought thunder, lightening and 6 inches of snow, followed by sunshine, blue skies and melting on the 8th. As the snow quickly melted, Hellebores were in full bloom and bulbs of hyacinth started to emerge.

April 2018

April arrived and it was springtime at last. This year had resulted as one of the most roller coaster journeys I can remember. A freezing start to winter was followed by one of the mildest months of February on record. It was the calm before the storm as spring arrived with strong winds, freezing cold temperatures in the 30's and four snow storms within three weeks. The storms continued into April, with the last covering of white occurring on April 2nd. Finally, as mid-April had arrived, blooms appeared everywhere including crocus, daffodils and hyacinths with Weeping pussy Willow catkins exploding with pollen.

May 2018

The garden came alive with a succession of new growth, buds and blooms daily as the merry month of May rolled in. After one of the coldest April's on record, May brought temperatures in the 70's with blue skies, accompanied by occasional spring showers to help the flowers grow. The Kwanzan Cherry in its second year had already gotten larger and was loaded with beautiful pink blooms, which I could not get enough of, while the fragrance of viburnum blossoms filled the air. Sedum foliage emerged into full form and ajuga blooms displayed an array of color with their deep purple-blue blooms. A favorite, May Night Salvia was also starting its bloom by the end of the month.

June 2018

The month of June was glorious with clear skies for the most part, temperatures in the 70's and lots of blooms everywhere. It was a busy milestone month, as my gardens were selected by the Sayville Garden Club to be one of six private gardens on display to be visited by the public. I had been prepping away getting ready for the big event on the 16th, which was a huge success! Visitors observed blooms of Peony Bartella, Allium Globemaster, Salvia May Night, Nepeta, Coreopsis, Daylily, Kousa Dogwood and Double Knock Out Roses as they walked among my gardens. As one of the participants, I also got to see the other five gardens on the tour, each unique and all so beautiful.

July 2018

The month of July arrived with a week long heat wave of extensive humidity and temperatures in the upper 80's and lower 90's. This is typical for July here in the zone 7a garden, but I must say that the cold front following with clear skies and comfortable temperatures brought much relief. The heat did bring on continued blooms to enjoy, including those of astilbe, coneflowers, hydrangea, daylily, coreopsis and nepeta. The garden was in all its glory!

August 2018

With temperatures in the upper 80's and lower 90's, humidity and frequent thunderstorms, the "dog days of summer" had officially arrived by the month of August. It had been an unusual August weather wise with almost daily torrential rains and flooding for the eastern seaboard, so I had to run out in between showers to tend to the garden. With all the rain, the landscape was indeed green, filled with blooms of butterfly bush, Black Eyed Susan, Lillium Stargazer, Astilbe Sprite, roses, coneflowers, sedum and Crape Myrtle.

September 2018

After a hot and humid start to September with several days in the upper 80's to lower 90's, a cold front had set in bringing showers and cooler temperatures. The garden had started looking more autumn-like as late summer blooms of Sedum Brilliant, Hydrangea Tardivia, Stella D' Oro Daylily and butterfly bush set in, along with a few lingering raindrops on roses. Hurricane season was underway with hurricane Florence impacting the lower eastern seaboard on the 14th.  

October 2018

Towards the beginning of October, temperatures were still hovering in the low to mid-70's. Overnight on the 11th, the rumbling of thunder could be heard with what was the last thunderstorm of the season. The cold front accompanied by torrential rains brought in the true feeling that the fall season had arrived. The days following became cool and crisp with temperatures in the upper 50's and lower 60's, and the foliage started to turn color. 

November 2018

With daytime temperatures in the 50's and a good amount of rainfall, the November garden transitioned into an array of color. This year ended up as having one of the most beautiful fall foliage changes I have seen in years. The rains and cooler temperatures had created the perfect conditions for a colorful show. By mid-November the temperatures plummeted into the 30's and on November 15th, the first surprise snow of the season came in late day bringing four inches of snow, which quickly melted by the next day. I cannot recall the last time we had snow that early. Could this be a sign of the winter ahead?

December 2018

After the garden tour on June 16th, the month of December brought in yet another milestone with the publishing of my third book, Dream, Garden, Grow! The book was supposed to keep me busy during the winter months, but moved along a lot quicker than expected and made its debut on December 3rd. By then, the gardening season had ended with daytime temperatures dropping into the 30's and 40's, accompanied by some rains and the first few snow flurries of the season on the 13th. Upon the official arrival of winter, torrential rains pounded the northeast with temperatures reaching 60 degrees, quickly returning back to the typical 30's to 40's for December. The garden had officially gone into its winter hibernation only to await its renewal in spring. For now, this gardener will continue to take walks in the garden on those milder days to see what nature has to offer and dream of spring with blooms to come. I hope you had a wonderful 2018 gardening season (and please do share!) and wish you all the best for a very Happy 2019 with gardens that thrive! 

~As Always...Happy Gardening ~

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,©Copyright 2010-2019. All rights reserved.

This Month in the Garden: Summer Gardening Tip-Rejuvenation of Hemerocallis (Daylily)

Rejuvenating Daylily

Daylilies are a popular addition to the garden for lasting color and will bloom for a very long time if cared for properly. Most daylilies prefer a humus, well-drained soil in full sun but will tolerate partial shade, allowing for some flexibility when planting. There are over 80,000 cultivars of daylily with a broad range of cold hardiness from USDA zones 1-11, making them one of the most adaptable landscape plants. Out of all the daylilies, my favorite for longest bloom time is Hemerocallis 'Stella D Oro'. It is known to have one of the longest bloom times lasting from late spring through fall with little maintenance. Blooms can be extended through October with pruning to remove spent foliage. 

Hemerocallis Stella D Oro' Daylily

PARTIAL REJUVENATION: In mid-summer, when your daylilies are completing their first major bloom and producing seeds, remove faded flowers and seed stalks so that the plant's energy goes back into producing new blooms. Clean up the appearance of the plant by removing any browned foliage, which usually can be seen around the base of the plant. 

Hemerocallis Stella D Oro' Daylily

FULL REJUVENATION: When your daylilies are at the end of their bloom in late summer and foliage is starting to turn a yellow-brown, cut them back half way to the ground and remove any additional yellowed-browned foliage. Another option is to put on a pair of gardening gloves and remove all spent foliage that comes out easily. This practice will totally clean up the plant, leaving any new growth remaining. This will rejuvenate the plant giving you new lush green foliage and even more blooms throughout September and into October. (Works best with Stella D Oro Daylily).

Hemerocallis 'Sammy Russell'

FALL DIVISION: Division of daylily is also best in early fall for the health of your plants. Simply dig deeply around the perimeter of the plant and gently lift the entire clump out of the ground. Use a sharp spade to divide the plant into parts and plant each section into a hole twice the size of the root ball. Be sure to get at least three or more strong shoots and a good root ball around the plant. Cut the foliage back halfway and back fill with soil around the plant. It is recommended to add mulch around the base of the plant to protect the roots. Water thoroughly and keep the plant well watered until the roots become established. At the end of the season once the fronds have turned completely brown remove all foliage to the ground to prevent fungal disease over the winter. Other plants that benefit from fall division are salvia, iris, peony, hosta, goldenrod, monardia (beebalm), nepeta, coreopsis and sedum. 

Hemerocallis 'Rosy Returns'

Looking for more gardening tips and design ideas? You may be interested in my books. Click on the links below for more information! 

Visit my Author Page/Purchase My Books:

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9 
Landscape Design Combinations

Dream, Garden, Grow!

~As Always...Happy Gardening!~

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2018. All rights reserved.

2017 Long Island Garden: A Year in Review!

🌺 January 2017

~Welcome and Happy New Year! It's time once again to reflect on the year gone past in my Long Island garden. Come along for the highlights of 2017!~

The year of 2017 was full of unexpected weather surprises and new additions to the garden. January started off normal enough, with temperatures in the 30's, and a light dusting of snow on the 6th, but uncertainly was on the way. Although the forecast had predicted just another 2-4 inches of snowfall, winter storm Helena brought 7.4 inches of snow to blanket the landscape, and the garden turned into a winter wonderland. Since the garden was now at rest and there was time on hand, I happily celebrated the publishing of my second book. "Landscape Design Combinations" on the 13th!

🌺 February 2017

Winter continued as February came along, bringing unpredictable temperatures that fluctuated anywhere between 20 degrees to temperatures in the 50's, depending on the week. On the 9th, Winter Storm Niko arrived by surprise, bringing blizzard force winds and another 15 inches of accumulating snow to Long Island. Warmer temperatures and rains followed, quickly washing away much of the snow, and the future was looking promising.

🌺 March 2017

As milder temperatures returned with hyacinths and catkins, the wrath of March brought back winter-like conditions. While I had already been out working in the garden during the milder days, the middle of the month brought about some of the coldest days of the winter with a snowfall on the 10th, followed by wind chills of -10 to -15 below zero. Just five days before the official start of spring, both the gardens and the gardener were confused!

🌺 April 

Finally, the month of April brought relief and the garden started to come alive with colorful blooms! After one of the coldest arrivals of spring, early April brought in some rainy days, followed by sunny blue skies and 70 degree temperatures, just in time to bring the garden out of its dormancy. Now I know as gardeners. we often can't help ourselves from talking about the weather, but isn't that what makes the flowers grow? April erased memories of the unpredictable winter with the excitement of spring in the air.

🌺 May 2017

May brought normal temperatures for the time of year, moderating into the 60's as colorful blooms sprung up everywhere and the gardening season was in full swing. Warmer days brought two exciting new additions to the back gardens, including a second golden 'Skylands' Golden Oriental Spruce (right of center) and a 7-8' Kwanzan Cherry (left of center), with magnificent pink blooms. I was like  a kid in a candy shop...overwhelmed with excitement with my two new trees! As you can see above, we also had the pleasure of a mother dove and her baby in the Globe Spruce, right outside our window.

🌺 June 2017

June brought temperatures into the 70's and 80's with vibrant blooms, and Iris pallida Aureo Marginata joined the left driveway garden. The perennials seemed bigger and brighter when compared to other years, perhaps due to the colder than usual spring. As any gardener would understand, I so much enjoy adding a new perennial every once in a while, just to keep the garden changing and have more to look forward to. The Japanese Dogwood 'Greensleeves' (top and bottom left) and Bartella Peony (bottom right) both had a banner year!

🌺 July 2017

July brought some heat with temperatures staying consistent in the 80's with some days in the 90's, but it never stayed hot for long. Sunny skies were around for most days, with an occasional thunderstorm to bring rain for nurturing the blooms. The Hydrangeas were back with beautiful blooms after a couple of rough years, which brought great joy.

🌺 August 2017

The month of August was similar to July, bringing a combination of warm days in the 90's, followed by rain showers and cooler days in the 80's. Overall, it was a relatively comfortable summer season for both the garden and its visitors. I noticed that some of the late summer blooms were a bit delayed, but only by a couple of weeks.

🌺 September 2017

September rolled around, bringing continued blooms of Crape Myrtle, Buddleia, Daylily, Sedum and Liriope to name a few. Temperatures had now dropped into the 70's by day and 50's and 60's by night with a very active Atlantic hurricane season. We carefully watched each storm, especially Hurricane Irma. As with the winter months, September was very unpredictable with tropical storms lurking around every corner. Over the past couple of years, it has been very noticeable that the seasonal patterns are definitely changing. 

🌺 October 2017

The month of October was one of the warmest I can remember, with temperatures in the 80's on some days. Signs of autumn continued to push forward, but leaves continued to remain on trees all the way through November. The Monarchs were here and it almost felt like an extended summer, with an autumn that never arrived. This was a good thing for a gardener, because the late summer perennials had much longer to stick around and produce blooms.

🌺 November 2017

Now with all this talk about weather, November brought temperatures to produce 50 degree days with cool autumn evenings in the 30's and 40's. For a couple of nights, temperatures dropped down into the 20's, signaling that winter was not far behind. There were still blooms on perennials, which I do not recall during the month of November, but the seasons did seem to be getting back on track.

🌺 December 2017

The  month of December brought temperatures in the 30's-40's by day and 20's-30's by night, with our first snowfall on the 9th with three more snowfalls to follow. Blustery winds with temperatures hardly getting above 30 signaled that winter had arrived. The month continued with an unusual day in the 50's which melted all the snow, followed by a return of seasonal weather. For the last week of the year, it was scarves and mittens to venture outside, with a record low of 9 degrees and wind chill of -4 to bring in the second coldest New Year's Eve on record. 

💮 Good-bye 2017: Video Year in Review! 💮

The year 2017 was certainly an exciting one with the celebration of my second book on January 13th and several new additions to the garden. Now that winter has finally set in, my love of gardening moves indoors. I do gaze out the window often and take that occasional walk outdoors to take it all in and dream of spring. After all...as Marie Huston put it..."The gardening season officially begins on January 1st, and ends on December 31"...so I go with that thought and garden on! As 2017 has come to a close, I wish all of you a very Happy and Healthy 2018! Happy New Year! 😊

Linking with:  Floral Fridays, Macro Monday 2, Friday Photo Journal, Image-in-ing Weekly Photo Link-Up and Dishing It & Digging It.

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2018. All rights reserved