Gomphocarpus (Asclepias) physocarpus
Gomphocarpus physocarpus (previously Asclepias) is a cool milkweed relative known as balloon plant or hairy balls!
Description:
Gomphocarpus physocarpus (previously Asclepias) is a peculiar milkweed relative from southern African known as balloon plant or hairy balls! The small flowers look much like a milkweed in shades of white and lavender held in small clusters. The seed pods, however, are large, weird, and intriguing. They look like inflated, green, hairy balloons! Requires full sun and dry to medium well-drained soil. Use in the sunny border, cottage and butterfly gardens or in containers. It is a subshrub that can be protected and overwintered or it can be treated like an annual. The flowers are popular with butterflies.
Common Name: Balloon Plant
Family: Apocynaceae (The Dogbane Family)
Zone Hardiness: 8-10
Light: Full Sun
Height: 4-6'
Width: 2-3'
Primary Bloom Colour: White/Cream
Secondary Bloom Colour: Purple
Class: Deciduous
Type: Perennial
Bloom Time: Summer
Soil Moisture: Average, Dry
Stem Colour:
Fragrance: No
Berries:
Benefits: Butterflies, Bees
Deer Resistant: Yes
BC Native: No
Native Habitat: Dry areas, prairies, pastures, woodland openings, ditches and disturbed ground, often on limestone soils in the midwestern, eastern and southeastern US
Award:
Geogrpahical Origin: Europe and Africa - Southern Africa and Madagascar
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*The Plant Encyclopedia is updated each year to provide a representation of the plants we offer, have offered, and may offer again. However, it is not a live inventory of our stock. Not all plants will be available at all times or in every year. Use the link above to enquire about the availability of this plant. Additionally, we carry many plants that have not yet been entered into our database so please enquire if you don’t see what you’re looking for. Plants are available only for on-site sales at our nursery in Richmond, BC, Canada or for shipping within Canada. We do not ship internationally. However, if you are visiting the nursery from afar, we can arrange for the necessary permits and paperwork for you to take plants back with you to your country.