Gypsophila paniculata 'Perfect Alba'
baby's breath 'Perfect Alba'
A tap-rooted perennial with slender stems to 1.2m tall, forming an airy broad mound of linear grey-green leaves and bearing large, open panicles of trumpet-shaped small pure white flowers in mid and late summer.
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Grey Silver Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Grey Silver Green | ||
| Autumn | Grey Silver Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Genus
Gypsophila can be annuals or perennials, sometimes evergreen, with narrow, greyish leaves and large sprays of small flowers
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in light, sharply-drained, preferably alkaline soil in full sun. Dislikes winter wet.
Propagation
Propagate by specialised root grafting for named cultivars, in late winter where scions of stem are grafted onto sections of root
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Wildlife gardens
- 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 susceptible to stem rots
Get involved
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