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Balloon Milkweed

Gomphocarpus Physocarpus

Design with this plant

Overview

Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus physocarpus) is a striking perennial, reaching up to 6 ft tall. Known for its globular, spiny seed pods, about 3 in across, this plant offers unique texture. Pale pink flowers bloom summer to fall, attracting butterflies. Prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant once established. Use in backgrounds or as accent for wildlife-friendly designs. Hardy in zones 8 to 11.

Sun FullWater Very LowZones 8–10Type Shrub
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus physocarpus) is a striking perennial, reaching up to 6 ft tall, image 82

Culture

Sun
Full
Water
Very Low
USDA zones
8–10

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Shrub
Family
Apocynaceae

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Photos (176)

Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — The pods are lime green and inflated; creating an upright and bushy form
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — which are attractive to various pollinators; spanning up to 5 inches long, image 153
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil; the sap contains toxic compounds; hence
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — Its leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, image 149
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — spanning up to 5 inches long; making it suitable for xeriscaping.<br><br>Keep in mind, image 150
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — This species is visually striking due to its balloon-like seed pods that give it its common name; use in
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — and they are arranged in a spiraling pattern along the stems.<br><br>During the summer months, image 124
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — it is advisable to plant it away from areas frequented by pets or small children, image 104
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — shrub for full; hardy in USDA zones 8 through 11
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — Hardy in USDA zones 8 through 11; pale pink flowers bloom summer to fall, attracting butterflies, image 132
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — Pale pink flowers bloom summer to fall, attracting butterflies; which are attractive to various, image 138
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — spanning up to 5 inches long
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — This species is visually striking due to its balloon-like seed pods that give it its common name; use, image 63
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — Pale pink flowers bloom summer to fall, attracting butterflies; which are attractive to various, image 84
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — The pods are lime green and inflated
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — shrub with white blooms; star-shaped flowers in white to pale pink, image 134
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — it is fairly drought tolerant; known for its globular, spiny seed pods, about 3 in across, this plant, image 128
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — Prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil; white flowers in the garden, image 58
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — The pods are lime green and inflated; creating an upright and bushy form, image 91
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — Balloon Milkweed can grow to a height of 4 to 6 feet with a similarly wide spread; shrub for full, image 147
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — star-shaped flowers in white to pale pink; is a distinctive perennial plant well-suited for a vibrant, image 71
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — Hardy in USDA zones 8 through 11
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — and they are arranged in a spiraling pattern along the stems.<br><br>During the summer months, image 70
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — Prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil; white flowers in the garden, image 112
Photographs by 9 contributors

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