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Certified Organic Plant

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Balloon Flower Maries

Name: Balloon Flower Maries - Kahikatea Farm Certified Organic Nursery and Permaculture Farm
Price: 9.50 NZD
Availability: OutOfStock

Platycodon grandiflorus var mariesii

$9.50

Out of stock

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Slow growing clump forming herbaceous perennial related to the bellflowers, and native to Korea, Japan, China and Eastern Siberia. The flower buds form a puffy balloon and then open to a bell-shaped flower in summer. Their colour is usually bluish-purple but may occasionally be white, and sometimes both can be found on the same plant – very unusual and quite wonderful! Height to 50cm when in flower. Winter dormant.

9cm pot

Cultivation

Suitable for full sun or part shade. Likes well drained soils but prefers some moisture, though it dislikes wet feet during winter when dormant. Very frost hardy.

Uses

The whole plant is used as a vegetable. It is rich in saponins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and other compounds. It contains a large number of fatty acids such as linoleic acid, a variety of amino acids, vitamins, and multiple essential trace elements. The older leaves are dried, powdered and used as a flavouring. (Leaves from the top of the plant only should be used, not the ones eminating from the base, as these may be slightly toxic). The root is eaten in soups as a tonic vegetable and also peeled and pickled or preserved in sugar. In Korea the root is known as Doraji and is a popular ingredient in salads and traditional cuisine, and said to have a meaty texture but with a bit of crunch. It’s used as an important ingredient in the Korean rice dish Bibimbap, as well as in a side dish called Namul.

The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies, and make good cut flowers too.

Medicinal Uses

Balloon Flower also has a long history of medicinal use – over 2000 years in China, and modern clinical tests have confirmed its efficacy. It lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels in the liver and inhibits the release of histamine. It is used internally in the treatment of coughs with profuse phlegm, colds, bronchitis, pleurisy, pulmonary abscesses and throat infections. It is also used to treat hypertension and diabetes.

The root of plants 2 – 3 years old are harvested in the spring or autumn, peeled and used fresh or dried.

Primary Actions: astringent, anti-inflammatory, digestive, expectorant, antitussive, analgesic, antibacterial

Parts Used: roots

Energetics: warming

History / Folklore / Further Info

Generally we only sell the true species of a plant (and we never sell hybrids). At the moment we are unable to source the true species but the Maries Balloon Flower (a strain discovered by Charles Maries) is more compact than the true type but otherwise similar in use.

Shipping Advice

N.B. Shipping costs are added AFTER you have placed your order, you will then be emailed an invoice with bank details.

Smallest box rate:
This can fit up to 9 plants in 9cm pots.

Shipping a single tree can be expensive. We may be able to fit more in the box for the same price! See our shipping rates for single and multi tree boxes.

Combining sizes?
No problem, we will work out the best rate for you once you’ve placed your order.

Medical disclaimer

Jo has a passion for growing herbs but is not a qualified herbalist and has no medical background.

We are lucky to have Patricia Beagle working here at times, who is qualified, and some of her advice does appear on these pages, but herbs act differently for different people and can interact with other medicines. We therefore always recommend that you consult with your own qualified health-care practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing or on any medications.

Kahikatea Farm cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants or a plant not having the effect it is reputed to have.