Platycodon grandiflorus aka Balloon Flower

Platycodon grandiflorus, also known as balloon flower, Chinese bellflower, or platycodon, is a species of herbaceous flowering perennial plant from East Asia. It is the only member of the genus Platycodon and is native to China, Korea, Japan, and the Russian Far East. The plant typically grows in mountainous areas and fields, with dark green leaves and delicate blue flowers that resemble small lanterns when fully bloomed. The unopened flower buds of the Platycodon grandiflorus plant are often referred to as balloons due to their bulbous shape. There are also varieties with pink, purple, and white petals, with the latter being most commonly found in Korea. The name Platycodon means "flat bell" in Ancient Greek, referring to the shape of the flowers. Platycodon grandiflorus is easy to grow from seed and thrives in full sun to partial shade with well-drained, slightly acidic soil. The plant has a strong rhizome and thin, fragile stems with a bluish tint, and blooms from mid-summer for over 20 days.