Gypsophila paniculata seed
LATIN NAME: Gypsophila paniculata
COMMON NAME: Baby’s Breath
LATIN NAME: Gypsophila paniculata
COMMON NAME: Baby’s Breath
Baby’s breath is the airy, cloud-like perennial of the dry plains, and its masses of the tiny, white, star-shaped flowers are one of the great fillers of the flower world. The slender, wiry stems branch into a fine, many-flowered cloud of the small, white, sometimes pink flowers through the summer, and the whole plant has a light, misty look. It is the classic companion of the cut flowers and the bridal bouquets, and it dries well for the winter arrangements. It is a generous, easy plant of the sunny, well-drained ground.
Scientific Research & Plant Biotechnology
Baby’s breath has a steady place in the plant science, and it has been studied for its airy, many-flowered heads and its long record as a cut flower. Researchers have looked at the masses of the tiny, star-shaped flowers, which are so fine and so numerous, and the plant keeps showing up in the work on the cut flowers and the floristry. The plant grows naturally on the dry, chalky plains, and the breeding of the double-flowered garden and the cut-flower forms is well documented in the horticultural journals, so the growing methods are reliable.
Ecological & Economic Value & Wide Applications
Baby’s breath is grown for the cut flowers, and the airy, cloud-like heads are the classic filler of the bouquets, the arrangements and the bridal work. The tiny, white, star-shaped flowers also dry well for the winter displays, and the plant is a fine, easy addition to the sunny border and the cutting bed. The masses of the flowers give a light, misty look that sets off the bolder blooms, and it has drawn attention in the international horticultural press for its long history in the floristry. It is a generous, easy plant of the sunny, well-drained, chalky ground.
Baby’s breath grows naturally on the dry, chalky plains, and the masses of the tiny, white, star-shaped flowers have made it one of the great fillers of the flower world. The slender, wiry stems branch into a fine, many-flowered cloud, and the plant is the classic companion of the cut flowers and the bridal bouquets, drying well for the winter arrangements. The masses of the small flowers give a light, misty look that sets off the bolder blooms, and the plant is a fine, easy addition to the sunny border and the cutting bed. It is a deep-rooted, tough plant of the sunny, well-drained, chalky ground.
To grow the baby’s breath from seed, sow the fine seeds on the surface of pots of gritty, free-draining, chalky soil and press them in without covering them, since they like the light, then keep the pots in a bright, cool, open spot and water gently. The seedlings come up within a couple of weeks and grow on into strong, deep-rooted young plants. Give them the sun and the very well-drained, chalky soil they prefer, and the airy clouds of the tiny white flowers will be there through the summer.
Gypsophila Paniculata. Long lasting perennial gypsophila producing clouds of large pure white blooms, ideal for cutting.
When to Sow: March to June
Where to Sow: Sow direct into flowering site 1cm (½”) deep. Rake in or cover lightly with fine soil.
What to do Next: As the seedlings develop, thin out to 20-30cm (8-12″) apart to avoid overcrowding. Can also be sown in September to flower the following year.
Flowers: June to August