Balloon flower - platycodon!.....

...........(It's proper name sounds like the name of an animal to me and the name Balloon Flower is easier to remember too!!!!)

The unopened flowers of platycodons resemble hot-air balloons, for which they are named - you can just see a bud.

Balloon flowers are clump-forming perennials with alternate leaves of light green on stems that usually grow between one and three feet tall. They bear two- to three-inch balloon-shaped buds that open to bell-shaped flowers with five points, in pink, blue, and white - I just have the blue ones.

The inflated buds of balloon flowers are fun to pop - and they make great cut flowers. Cut them in bud and sear the base of the stems to prevent the milky sap from seeping out and fouling the water and they will last well.

Anni came over this morning for her monthly haircut and as usual we had a light lunch of jacket potatoes with cheese followed by spicy fruit cake.

Now I have, I think, replied to all the kind comments received whilst I was "in foreign parts" I hope to start commenting once again - I've missed that but there just wasn't the time unless I had not slept!!

It has been really hot here today but when Anni left home about 9.15am, they had thick fog there and it was quite chilly - none here, not even early on! It felt hotter than it did in the States - although it wasn't at 76Deg F - must be something to do with the humidity! A short time ago, there were loud rumbles of thunder but a storm has not developed - if it did, it might feel a lot fresher - it is very sticky at the moment.

I do hope everyone has a lovely weekend.