Gypsophila

This group includes hardy annuals and perennials originally found wild in various parts of Europe. These plants are commonly called Baby's Breath and Chalk Plant. G. paniculata variety Bristol Fairy is a dainty plant, which grows from 24 to 30 inches high with a spread of 3 feet. It forms mounds of narrowly lance-shaped, blue-green leaves and a profusion of very tiny, double, white flowers in airy panicles on wiry, branching stems, in the summer. G. paniculata variety Rosenschleier forms mounds up to a foot high and spreads up to 3 feet. In the summer, tiny, double flowers are produced in airy sprays. They are white turning to pale pink. The flowers of these plants dry well for winter arrangements

Pot Cultivation

Baby's Breath grow best in deep, moderately fertile soil that is moist, but well drained. They grow deeply and shouldn't be disturbed once they are planted. They need plenty of space to grow. G. elegans is a good plant to grow in a greenhouse for cut flowers and as a pot plant. Any fairly fertile, porous soil is suitable.

Propagation

Seeds may be sown in sandy soil in the fall. The double varieties are grafted on roots of G. paniculata in the winter.

G. cerastioides

VARIETIES

• G. paniculata & var. Bristol Fairy, Rosenschleier (also called G. Veil of Roses or G. Rosy Veil), flore-pleno, Flamingo;
• G. repens & var. rosea;
• G. cerastioides;
• G. fratensis;
• G. elegans.