Astra Double Blue Balloon Flower

Name: Astra Double Blue Balloon Flower
Brand: Nature Hills Nursery
Availability: OutOfStock

Platycodon grandiflora 'Astra Double Blue'

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Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Compact/Dwarf, Flowering, Deer-resistant, Drought resistant, Container Friendly, and Non-invasive

Specifications

Botanical Name

Platycodon grandiflora 'Astra Double Blue'
Height

1 ft
Growing Zones

3-8
Sunlight
- Full sun
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color
- Blue
Leaf Color
- Green
Pollinator Required

No
Bloom Period

Early Summer, Late Summer

Planting & Care Instructions

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant your Astra Double Blue Balloon Flower in full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours daily to ensure the sturdiest stems and the most intense violet blue color. It can handle partial shade in hotter climates, though you might see slightly fewer blooms and a more relaxed growth habit.
Soil: These perennials crave deep, organic soil that drains freely to prevent the fleshy taproots from rotting during winter. If you have heavy clay, mix in several inches of compost to improve drainage, or plant them in raised beds to keep their "feet" dry.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, provide about an inch of water per week to help the deep taproot system establish itself. Once mature, Balloon Flowers are quite drought tolerant, but inconsistent moisture during the budding stage can cause the "balloons" to drop before they open. Aim for deep, infrequent soakings rather than light sprinkles to encourage roots to grow deeper into the soil.

Pruning Tips

Astra Double Blue blooms on new wood, so you should leave the dead foliage intact over winter to mark the spot, as they are very slow to emerge in spring. In late fall or early spring, cut the old stems back to the ground to make way for fresh growth. Deadheading spent blooms throughout the summer is like giving the plant a second wind, as it prevents seed production and redirects energy into creating more flowers.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer once in early spring as new shoots emerge to fuel the season's growth. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers in mid to late summer because they can stimulate soft, leafy growth that is easily damaged by the first frost. A single feeding in spring is usually all these efficient plants need to thrive in most garden settings.

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Growing Zones 3-8

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Blue Balloons All Summer

Astra Double Blue Ballon Flower, Platycodon 'Astra Double Blue', is a wonderful new dwarf variety! 'Astra' Platycodons are a new series that form compact, well-branched plants.This heavy bloomer gets its name from the way each flower bud swells before its starry petals unfold.

The interesting balloon-like buds burst open into bell-shaped double blue flowers from mid summer through early fall. Its compact, uniform habit makes 'Astra Double Blue' a good selection for cut flowers, containers, or the garden.

'Astra Double Blue' is an easy, disease and insect resistant perennial that thrives in almost any soil as long as it is well-drained and can easily adapt to grow in either full sun or part shade. It has exceptional branching and thick flower petals that make for long-lasting periwinkle blue blossoms.

The compact form of this plant makes it ideal for mixed containers.

Prolific Blue Starry Blooms
Adaptable, Compact, and Hardy
Blooms All Summer

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

Astra Double Blue Balloon Flower

Platycodon grandiflora 'Astra Double Blue'

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Specifications