Gypsophila Festival Star
Gypsophila 'Festival Star' photo courtesy of Walters Gardens

Baby's Breath

A new look in Gypsophila!  Dense sprays of pure white flowers are produced on relatively short stems above the grey-green foliage, although they were still long enough for cutting for small arrangements.  It has a very long bloom time, flowering from late spring into fall. The habit is very compact so it looks very tidy and uniform over the season, making an attractive statement in the garden.

Baby's Breath is valuable as a filler plant in perennial border gardens and also as a long-lasting cut flower. It makes the perfect cover up for dying bulb foliage or for perennials, such as poppies or bleeding hearts, that go dormant in summer. Baby's Breath also makes an excellent dried flower.

  • Height: 30-45 cm (12-18 in)
  • Spread: 41 - 51cm (16 - 20 in)
  • Cold Hardiness: Zone 3-9
  • Sun or Shade: full sun
  • Bloom Time: late spring to early fall, reblooms
  • Leaf Colour: green
  • Bloom Colour: white
  • Critter Resistance: deer
  • Nature Attraction: butterflies

Growing and Maintenance Tips

Baby's Breath should be grown in full sun and slightly alkaline soil. This can be accomplished by adding lime to the soil at the time of planting if the original soil is acidic. Good drainage is essential to the health of this plant.  Plants should be trimmed back in spring rather than fall.