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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) — star-shaped flowers in white to pale pink
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — This species is visually striking due to its balloon-like seed pods that give it its common name; use, image 90
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — creating an upright and bushy form; commonly known as Balloon Milkweed or Hairy Balls, image 67
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — Known for its globular, spiny seed pods, about 3 in across, this plant offers unique texture
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — reaching sizes of approximately 2 to 3 inches in diameter.<br><br>Originating from Southeast Africa, image 146
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — This species is visually striking due to its balloon-like seed pods that give it its common name; use, image 144
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — Balloon Milkweed can grow to a height of 4 to 6 feet with a similarly wide spread; shrub for full
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — Pale pink flowers bloom summer to fall, attracting butterflies; which are attractive to various, image 111
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — Pale pink flowers bloom summer to fall, attracting butterflies; which are attractive to various, image 57
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — Known for its globular, spiny seed pods, about 3 in across, this plant offers unique texture, image 83
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — creating an upright and bushy form; commonly known as Balloon Milkweed or Hairy Balls, image 148
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — shrub for full; hardy in USDA zones 8 through 11, image 81
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — Balloon Milkweed can grow to a height of 4 to 6 feet with a similarly wide spread
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — white flowers in the garden; the pods are lime green and inflated
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — and they are arranged in a spiraling pattern along the stems.<br><br>During the summer months
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — shrub for full; hardy in USDA zones 8 through 11, image 135
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil; the sap contains toxic, image 100
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — creating an upright and bushy form; commonly known as Balloon Milkweed or Hairy Balls
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — Use in backgrounds or as accent for wildlife-friendly designs; balloon Milkweed can grow to a height of 4 to 6
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — Hardy in USDA zones 8 through 11; pale pink flowers bloom summer to fall, attracting butterflies, image 105
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — white flowers in the garden
Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — reaching sizes of approximately 2 to 3 inches in diameter.<br><br>Originating from Southeast Africa, image 65
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 120
Photographs by 11 contributors

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