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Gerald L. Klingaman
Caryophyllaceae
Gypsophila paniculata
Baby's Breath, Perennial Baby's Breath
Baby’s breath is the traditional filler flower for florist’s bouquets. It is an herbaceous perennial plant bearing tall, airy panicles covered with hundreds of tiny white flowers. When in bloom, from early to midsummer, the effect is cloud-like. Off-season it maintains an inconspicuous existence as a dense rosette of lance-shaped, blue-green basal foliage.
Baby’s breath is native to Central and Eastern Europe, where it thrives on dry, stony slopes, often with chalky soil. In the garden, it grows best in full sun and prefers light, deep alkaline soil. Monitor the soil pH to maintain its alkalinity. If necessary, amend the soil with calcium and magnesium to keep the pH high. During its season of bloom it should be watered regularly. Cut back the faded flower stems before they set seed as plants have a tendency to lightly self-sow. Baby’s breath is difficult to transplant because it has a deep tap root, so plant it where it won’t be disturbed. Protect its tender new leaves from snails and slugs.
Baby’s breath adds an airy puff of delicate blooms and is perfect in bouquets, either fresh or dry. Florists love ‘Perfecta’ for its large double-white flowers. One of the more popular varieties for the garden is the dwarf ‘Pink Fairy’, which has double pink flowers.
9 - 1
5 - 9
A2, A3, H1, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21
Perennial
Full Sun
3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Europe, Eastern Europe, Mediterranean
Neutral, Alkaline
Well Drained
Loam, Sand
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
Cushion/Mound-forming
Spring, Summer
Showy
White, Light Pink
Blue Green
Yes
No
Single
Medium
Cutflower, Dried Flower/Everlasting, Mixed Border
Butterflies
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