Platycodon grandiflorus 'Florist Blue' – beautiful blue bellflower for garden and cut flowers

Platycodon grandiflorus 'Florist Blue' is a herbaceous perennial known for its elegant, violet-blue flowers and strong, upright stems. This variety makes an excellent addition to gardens, borders, and flower beds, and is perfect for cut flowers thanks to its long vase life and sturdy stems.

The plants have attractive blue-green, lance-shaped leaves and develop large, balloon-shaped buds during the growing season, opening into wide, cup-shaped flowers approximately 5 cm across. 'Florist Blue' combines ornamental value with practicality, making it a favorite for both home gardeners and professional floristry.

Appearance and growth characteristics

Florist Blue grows upright and compact, with sturdy stems that support the large flowers. The leaves are blue-green and lance-shaped, creating a beautiful backdrop for the striking violet-blue flowers.

The flowers begin as striking balloon-shaped buds, slowly opening into wide, bell-shaped blooms. At approximately 5 cm across, the flowers are large and decorative, perfect for both garden display and cut flower production.

Thanks to its sturdy stems and consistent blooming period, the flowers are easily harvested for bouquets, arrangements, or decorative arrangements. This makes Florist Blue a versatile and valuable plant for both commercial growers and hobbyists.

Cultivation information and care

Platycodon grandiflorus 'Florist Blue' is a herbaceous perennial that is easy to grow in well-drained soil and a sunny to lightly shaded location. The plant is winter-hardy and returns annually, offering long-lasting ornamental value and harvest potential.

Cultivation advice:

• Location: sunny to partial shade

• Soil: well-drained, humus-rich

• Planting distance: approximately 25–30 cm for optimal development

• Maintenance: Little maintenance required; regular watering promotes flower production

For cut flowers, the stems are harvested at the desired size when the buds are just beginning to develop. This ensures a longer vase life and a beautiful, open flower display.

Applications and benefits

Platycodon grandiflorus 'Florist Blue' offers a wide range of uses:

• Garden and border: striking ornamental value with long-lasting flowering

• Cut flowers: sturdy stems and large flowers ideal for bouquets

• Vases and flower arrangements: Balloon-shaped buds open into wide-spreading flowers

• Easy to maintain: hardy, durable and not very susceptible to diseases

The combination of sturdy stems, large flowers, and reliable growth makes 'Florist Blue' both aesthetically pleasing and practical for commercial and hobby flower growing.