Asclepias Gomphocarpus physocarpus
Balloon Plant
Heirloom

An old fashioned annual, or tender perennial in warm climates, that bears lots of purple-white flowers with a faint vanilla scent. Blooms allure pollinators like butterflies. Over 450 insects are known to feed on some part of the plant. They love the nectar rich flowers. It is common to see many different insects feeding right along side butterflies on the flowers at the same time in a rich tapestry of natures diversity. Flowers are followed by unusual fruits that look like hairy, inflated spheres. Stems with pods can be used in fresh and dried floral arrangements.

Grows in a wide varieties of soil, if given good drainage. Loves growing out from rocks and small crevasses. Well developed as a cottage garden flower or a nice meadow setting. Can flower 4 months from seed and bloom from spring through fall. Makes a great plant for container gardens.

Grow in full sun with well drained soil. Monarch caterpillars may feed on the foliage, and aphids can sometimes be seen on the plants but dont use insectisides as this will harm butterfly pollinators and the aphids do little damage. Somewhat deer resistant.
So don’t wait and buy yours today!

Fun Facts:

The name physocarpa comes from the Greek physa meaning bladder and karpos, fruit, referring to the bladder-like fruits