Platycodon 'Astra White'

Platycodon grandiflorus 'Astra White': Porcelain Stars in Summer

Elegant and luminous, Platycodon 'Astra White' opens from charming balloon-like buds into pristine white, star-shaped flowers that brighten borders and containers all summer long. A compact selection from the Astra series, this cultivar boasts large blooms and a tidy, mounded habit, making it perfect for front-of-border placements or small spaces. Blooming steadily from early to late summer, it’s drought tolerant once established and adored by pollinators for its steady nectar supply.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 15–25 cm
• Spread: 20–30 cm
• Flower Colour: Pure white
• Flowering Period: Early to late summer
• Foliage: Blue-green, lance-shaped leaves; compact and uniform
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil

Uses and Benefits: 'Astra White' is a graceful accent for rock gardens, patio containers, and the front of perennial beds where its glowing blooms add contrast and softness. Its compact form makes it easy to tuck between grasses or low-mounding perennials, and its tidy habit suits formal and informal designs alike. The balloon-shaped buds add whimsy, while the snow-white flowers offer a cool foil to stronger colours.

Companion Plants: Pair with the dark violet spires of Salvia 'Noche', the soft blue haze of Nepeta 'Purrsian Blue', and the fine-textured, silvery foliage of Festuca 'Beyond Blue' for a soothing, sun-loving mix that combines clean lines, contrast, and pollinator appeal.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun or light shade with well-drained soil. Water during prolonged dry periods. Deadhead to prolong bloom and cut back spent stems at season’s end. Avoid disturbing the roots once established, as balloon flower prefers to stay in place.

History: The Astra series was developed for its improved dwarf habit and large, uniform flowers. 'Astra White' refines the classic balloon flower with clean colour and compact form, ideal for modern borders and container plantings.

Final Thoughts: With its bright, porcelain-white blooms and playful form, Platycodon 'Astra White' adds a fresh, refined touch to sunny garden spaces—cooling the palette and lifting the mood all summer long.