An interesting and well-behaved perennial, the balloon flower, Platycodon grandiflorus, acquired its common name due to the resemblance of its buds to a hot air balloon. Before its buds unfold and ...

Although the Latin botanical names are the best way to talk about flowers, since common names vary so widely, some common names are still a lot of fun and definitely worth knowing. Balloon flower ...

Q I'd appreciate it if you would identify this plant for us. This is its third year and the last two it has come up from the roots. Is it sometimes called a "balloon plant"? A The plant in question is ...

Looking for a free mini puzzle? Play the USA TODAY Quick Cross now. • The balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) is an herbaceous perennial that emerges in late spring. Its common name comes from ...

Some perennial flowers can take all the heat a central-Pennsylvania summer can dish out and grow on with no ill effects. Others, not so much. High heat has the ability to wilt leaves, shut down ...

Keep your perennial gardens looking their best throughout the hot summer months with a bit of midsummer grooming and care. Investing time midseason means you'll be enjoying beautiful gardens now ...

February is the month when indoor seed-starting takes center stage in the Northern gardening world. It’s when eager gardeners get busy starting their cool-season plants, such as cabbage, broccoli, ...

Although roses remain favorites for suffusing your summer garden with intoxicating fragrance, there's only so much of their sassiness a gardener can tolerate. Luckily, there are a myriad of ...