These balloons don’t hang out at the party shop. They are neither mylar nor latex nor another form of imitation rubber. And they stick to a basic shape – no cartoon characters, sports mascots, or birthday numbers available.
They last longer. With a little care they’ll return every spring, reach for the sky, and blow a perfect balloon in white or blue in early summer.
It’s a flower — a balloon flower.
A few years ago I misread the label — thought I was buying an annual. What a pleasant surprise the next spring. I have a tall variety, about waist high, with bright green stems and leaves. At the moment mine appear to be blowing bubbles at the tip as the flower swells and matures.
I found these in a professional garden blooming ahead of mine due to better soil and water conditions.
Hiding Places is now available in paperback from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
