{"product_id":"gomphocarpus-physocarpus","title":"Gomphocarpus physocarpus","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"65\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"16\"\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"16\" data-end=\"19\"\u003eBalloon Cotton Bush\u003cbr data-start=\"38\" data-end=\"41\"\u003eSwan Plant\u003cbr data-start=\"51\" data-end=\"54\"\u003eHairy Balls\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"67\" data-end=\"1043\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"67\" data-end=\"83\"\u003eDescription:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"83\" data-end=\"86\"\u003eGomphocarpus physocarpus is a fast-growing, upright perennial shrub best known for its unusual inflated seed pods and clusters of small, waxy white flowers. The distinctive balloon-like pods give this plant strong ornamental appeal and make it a popular novelty addition to cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, and cut flower arrangements. In Melbourne, it grows best in a full sun position with well-drained soil and thrives through the warmer months, often behaving as a short-lived perennial or self-seeding annual depending on local conditions. The flowers are highly attractive to bees and butterflies, and the plant is especially valued as a host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars. Its light, airy growth habit and curious seed pods add movement and interest to mixed borders and wildlife-friendly gardens. While decorative and useful for habitat planting, it should be positioned carefully, as it can self-seed freely in favourable conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1045\" data-end=\"1073\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1045\" data-end=\"1054\"\u003eForm:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1054\" data-end=\"1057\"\u003e• Shrub - Medium\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1075\" data-end=\"1136\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1075\" data-end=\"1091\"\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1091\" data-end=\"1094\"\u003e• Height: 1.2–2 m\u003cbr data-start=\"1111\" data-end=\"1114\"\u003e• Width: 80 cm – 1.2 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1138\" data-end=\"1162\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1138\" data-end=\"1149\"\u003eAspect:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1149\" data-end=\"1152\"\u003e• Full Sun\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1164\" data-end=\"1244\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1164\" data-end=\"1178\"\u003eFlowering:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1178\" data-end=\"1181\"\u003e• Flowers in Spring\u003cbr data-start=\"1200\" data-end=\"1203\"\u003e• Flowers in Summer\u003cbr data-start=\"1222\" data-end=\"1225\"\u003e• Flowers in Autumn\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1246\" data-end=\"1284\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1246\" data-end=\"1264\"\u003eFlower Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1264\" data-end=\"1267\"\u003e• White\u003cbr data-start=\"1274\" data-end=\"1277\"\u003e• Cream\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1286\" data-end=\"1636\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1286\" data-end=\"1305\"\u003eKey Attributes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1305\" data-end=\"1308\"\u003e• Suitable for Pots\u003cbr data-start=\"1327\" data-end=\"1330\"\u003e• Bird Attracting\u003cbr data-start=\"1347\" data-end=\"1350\"\u003e• Bee Attracting\u003cbr data-start=\"1366\" data-end=\"1369\"\u003e• Herbaceous\u003cbr data-start=\"1381\" data-end=\"1384\"\u003e• Perennial\u003cbr data-start=\"1395\" data-end=\"1398\"\u003e• Butterfly host plant\u003cbr data-start=\"1420\" data-end=\"1423\"\u003e• Excellent for cut seed pods\u003cbr data-start=\"1452\" data-end=\"1455\"\u003e• Ornamental seed pods\u003cbr data-start=\"1477\" data-end=\"1480\"\u003e• Fast growing\u003cbr data-start=\"1494\" data-end=\"1497\"\u003e• Self-seeding\u003cbr data-start=\"1511\" data-end=\"1514\"\u003e• Useful for wildlife gardens\u003cbr data-start=\"1543\" data-end=\"1546\"\u003e• Can become weedy in favourable conditions\u003cbr data-start=\"1589\" data-end=\"1592\"\u003e• Environmental weed potential in some areas\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1638\" data-end=\"1900\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1638\" data-end=\"1651\"\u003eToxicity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1651\" data-end=\"1654\"\u003eToxic if ingested. Like other members of the milkweed family, this plant contains milky sap and toxic compounds that may be harmful to humans, dogs, cats, and livestock if consumed. The sap may also irritate skin or eyes in sensitive individuals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1902\" data-end=\"2035\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1902\" data-end=\"1923\"\u003eCompanion Plants:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1923\" data-end=\"1926\"\u003e• Verbena bonariensis\u003cbr data-start=\"1947\" data-end=\"1950\"\u003e• Salvia\u003cbr data-start=\"1958\" data-end=\"1961\"\u003e• Gaura\u003cbr data-start=\"1968\" data-end=\"1971\"\u003e• Cosmos\u003cbr data-start=\"1979\" data-end=\"1982\"\u003e• Achillea\u003cbr data-start=\"1992\" data-end=\"1995\"\u003e• Rudbeckia\u003cbr data-start=\"2006\" data-end=\"2009\"\u003e• Echinacea\u003cbr data-start=\"2020\" data-end=\"2023\"\u003e• Pennisetum\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Collings Wholesale Nursery","offers":[{"title":"14CM","offer_id":47692277612709,"sku":null,"price":11.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"TRAY OF 12 X 14CM POTS","offer_id":47692277645477,"sku":null,"price":100.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0687\/2911\/0693\/files\/Gomphocarpusphysocarpus.jpg?v=1775434978","url":"https:\/\/theplantbroker.com.au\/products\/gomphocarpus-physocarpus","provider":"The Plant Broker","version":"1.0","type":"link"}