Gypsophila paniculata

Panicled Gypsophila or Common Baby's Breath produces a cloud of small and light snow-white flowers less than a centimetre (half an inch) in size from June to August, which have earned it its nickname. It is the ideal companion for florists in dried and fresh bouquets as it enhances all other flowers with its spider-like and airy appearance.

Panicled Gypsophila is a perennial reaching 90 cm (35.4 in) in height and 60 cm (23.6 in) in width with a highly branched, bushy habit. It belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family. Native to Eurasia and North Africa, it is often grown as an annual. However, it can withstand temperatures as low as -20 °C (-4 °F) and strong droughts. The tiny flowers are clustered in panicles and form five-lobed corollas. The light green to bluish-green, linear leaves are so narrow and delicate that they are barely noticeable. The surprisingly branched stems contribute to the plant's snowy effect. Make use of the transparency effects of Gypsophila as it creates a diaphanous setting for roses or camellias. To maintain its decorative potential, it should be planted in well-drained and dry soil, even in calcareous areas in the hottest and sunniest spots of the garden.

Panicled Gypsophila is a medicinal plant, known to be diuretic, expectorant, and even anti-rheumatic thanks to the saponin it contains. It was long used for washing delicate fabrics for the same reasons.