Use balloon flowers among other perennial flowers in a bed or in rock gardens. Try them with hardy fuchsias or butterfly weed, yarrow, bee balm or phlox. The taller versions should be planted near the back of a group of plants, the dwarf types near the front.
Cutting/Displaying Indoors: Since there are few flowers that are blue, balloon flowers are outstanding in floral arrangements. Cut flowers last up to a week if the freshly cut stems are seared with a flame to retard the flow of milky sap from the stems before being placed in water. For more information see the files on Keeping Cut Flowers and Cut Flower Supplies