Gypsophila paniculata (Baby's Breath)
Baby's Breath, Babysbreath, Bachelor's Button, Perfoliate Baby's Breath
A favorite for cut flowers and arrangements, Baby's Breath (Gypsophila paniculata) also deserves a place in the landscape. Its airy clouds of white or pink tiny flowers add both contrast and texture to the perennial border from early summer to fall. Their billowy appearance is most attractive and has a softening effect on the surrounding plants. Also perfect at masking the fading foliage of spring flowering bulbs or at filling the gaps left by early summer bloomers such as Oriental poppies (Papaver orientale).
- Growing in decorative mounds, up to 2-3 feet tall and wide (60-90 cm), covered with myriads of long-lasting, single or double flowers on plants with very small, blue-green leaves, they thrive in full sun and enjoy average, dry, well-drained soils. Alkaline soils are preferred (add lime to acidic soils). This plant prefers being left undisturbed once established.
- Low maintenance and highly disease-free, this plant is also drought and salt tolerant.
- Attracts butterflies, but is ignored by deer!
- Plant in groups of 3 to 4 plants for best visual impact. Great as cut flowers!
- Cut back after flowering to encourage rebloom.
- Native to Europe and Asia.
- Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
- Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.
Buy Gypsophila paniculata (Baby's Breath)
Requirements
Hardiness | 3
– 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 9 |
Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, A2, A3, H1 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 30" – 36" (75cm – 90cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam |
Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Salt |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |
Noppharat Studio 969, Spazhakina Anna, Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 3
– 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 9 |
Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, A2, A3, H1 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 30" – 36" (75cm – 90cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam |
Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Salt |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |