I love them too! I have Astra Pink but it’s not blooming yet.

Rouge, have you ever tried pinching these to help with flopping? LOL I guess I should ask first if you have trouble with flopping. Mine always seem to flop open. I do love them though. Very cool, both just before bloom as well as in bloom! And lovely color too!

:)
Dee

Yep, another balloon flower lover here! I have the dwarf "Sentimental Blue" which makes a lovely edger, as well as taller varieties -- Mariesii and Fuji Blue. The taller ones have a grace that the dwarfs just don't possess (nice as they area). I've got seeds of Mariesii under the lights right now -- hoping for germination and enough growth before mid-fall so I can safely plant out.

It is a beauty... just a pita to constantly deadhead......

have you ever tried pinching these to help with flopping?

Yes and double yes!

just a pita to constantly deadhead

Yes and double yes!

That is ridiculously gorgeous mazerolm.

Thanks rouge! I planted 3 last year but only 2 survived. How old are your plants? Mine seem no bigger than last year.

I only have this one. (I wouldnt have the patience to deadhead anymore than 1 of these plants ;)) It has probably been in this location for 5 years. I cut it back mercilessly sometime in June to help with the inevitable flopping.

Yes, they really are a perfect bloom. I am a big fan and have Hakone blue (double) Fuji blue, white & pink although my Fuji pink seems to have been over run by other plants. I must look for it.

Mine never flop. I wonder if it is the Fuji series or that they are in full sun. Hakone blue never flops either.