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Herbaceous Perennial

Gypsophila paniculata 'Bristol Fairy' (d)

baby's breath 'Bristol Fairy'

An herbaceous perennial to 1.2m in height, making a broad mound of slender stems with narrow, grey-green leaves and large, open panicles of pure white double flowers 12mm in width in summer

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Loam

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Caryophyllaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Gypsophila can be annuals or perennials, sometimes evergreen, with narrow, greyish leaves and large sprays of small flowers
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a deep, light, preferably alkaline, very well-drained soil in full sun; dislikes winter wet

Propagation

Propagate by the specialised root grafting in late winter. Here scions of stem are grafted onto sections of root.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Gravel garden
Cottage and informal garden
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back after flowering to encourage a second flush of flowers

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be affected by a stem rot

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