<em>Gypsophila</em>: planting and care

Description and botany

Gypsophila is a herbaceous plant, annual or perennial depending on species, belonging to family Caryophyllaceae. It is found wild at high altitudes, on rocky ground and slopes of southern Europe, particularly the Iberian Peninsula, and in Central Asia.

Genus includes more than a hundred species and varieties, the most widespread being Gypsophila paniculata, often nicknamed “brouillard”, an upright form reaching 1 m in height, and Gypsophila repens, with a spreading habit. Both have produced hybrids such as gypsophilas ‘Rosenschleier’, ‘Flamingo’ and ‘Rosa Schönheit’.

There is also Gypsophila cerastioides, a Gypsophila that forms a compact cushion, as well as some annual species such as Gypsophila muralis or wall gypsophila and Gypsophila elegans, perfect for bouquets.

Plant develops from a thick, sometimes woody stump made up of deep but fragile roots. Habit varies by species, taking the form of an upright bush or a groundcover plant with a spreading, dense habit, sometimes even forming a turf.

Gypsophila forms a rounded, bushy clump, very ramified, reaching at least 1 m in all directions, or else a spreading cushion, no more than 10 to 20 cm in height by about 40 cm wide at maturity.

Gypsophila paniculata – botanical illustration

With normal to slow growth, it can live quite a long time in very well drained soil; however, in heavy soil it will be short-lived and behave as an annual.

Foliage is fine and discreet, evergreen to semi-evergreen. Small leaves linear, lanceolate, sometimes fleshy, glabrous or villous, 5 mm to 10 cm long, are arranged in opposite pairs on very fine, very ramified, creeping or ascending stems. They are mid-green to slightly bluish-green, glaucous.

Gypsophila is remarkable for the poetry and abundance of its flowering, whether creeping or tall. Also called “brouillard” or “baby’s breath” by English speakers, the shrub transforms, from May to September, into a vapoury cloud of numerous small solitary inflorescences or gathered into large, airy panicles at the tips of the many stems.

Like swarms, these tiny star-shaped or trumpet-shaped flowers, 0.5 to 2 cm across, form an evanescent floral mist that is both attractive and extremely light. Groundcover species almost disappear under an avalanche of small rounded flowers.

Simple or double, in the form of fluffy pompons, they have 4 to 5 petals and take pastel shades ranging from classic pure white to pale or deep pink, and sometimes candy-pink and white gradients.

Delicate, they evoke tiny soft, velvety roses and follow one another throughout summer.

When cut, these light flower stems are much prized by florists for fresh or dried bouquets, to which they add a delicate volume.

Hardy to below -15°C, drought-resistant and undemanding, despite its fragile appearance, Gypsophila is truly an easy plant to grow. From Mediterranean origins, it has retained a liking for heat and requires full sun.

Gypsophila does not like humidity. In Greek, its name means that it loves aridity of calcareous soils: it grows in light, deep, porous soil, dry to fresh, even stony and above all very well drained.

Gypsophila will make a strong impression in wild gardens, dry gardens, rockeries and flowering low walls, on sunny banks where it brings a vapoury relief. It also adapts very well to planters and flowering containers.

Gypsophila paniculata ‘Bristol Fairy’, Gypsophila repens ‘Rosa Schonheit’, Gypsophila cerastioides

Main species and varieties

Most popular

Our favourites

Gypsophila Rosenschleier

Undoubtedly the best gypsophile! It forms airy clouds. This variety tolerates winter dampness better than others. Ideal for rockeries or borders.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 50 cm

See the product sheet

Gypsophila repens Rosa Schönheit

A mat-forming, prostrate and very vigorous variety that is covered in summer with a cloud of dark-pink flowers, large for the genus. Ideal in rockeries, in wall crevices, on dry banks or in pots.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 20 cm

See the product sheet

Gypsophila paniculata Flamingo

A hybrid variety derived from G. paniculata notable for its double pale-pink flowers. It develops a well-bushy form at ripeness. Perfect for lightening borders.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 1 m

See the product sheet

Gypsophila paniculata Bristol Fairy

Nicknamed 'mist', this gypsophile forms a cloud of white flowers exceeding 1 m in height at ripeness. It flowers throughout summer in borders.

• Flowering time August to October
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

See the product sheet

Gypsophila repens Alba

A vigorous, mat-forming variety that develops into a spreading cushion which will extend year after year. Plant on sunny banks or in planters.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 20 cm

See the product sheet

Gypsophila cerastioides

An astonishing gypsophile that develops into a compact cushion. It thrives in rockeries, at the front of a border or as a path edging.

• Flowering time June to August
• Height at maturity 10 cm

See the product sheet

Gypsophila elegans Covent Garden Seeds

An annual gypsophile variety of great delicacy. Widely used in fresh or dried bouquets.

• Flowering time July to November
• Height at maturity 45 cm

See the product sheet

Planting

Where to plant Gypsophila

With very good hardiness, Gypsophila grows almost everywhere in France. It tolerates frost and copes well with temperatures below at least -15 °C in well-drained soil.

It is a perennial that requires sun and warm exposure and prefers porous, rather dry soils. This plant, well adapted to drought, likes light, poor, even calcareous soils, and above all very well drained soils in which it will be long-lived. It will also tolerate ordinary soil provided drainage is perfect.

Gypsophila hates heavy, winter-wet, poorly drained soils: in waterlogged, compact clay soil it will behave like an annual and die the winter following planting.

Give it an open position, because Gypsophila likes space and it tends to spread. It dislikes root competition: make sure it has plenty of air and, above all, avoid moving it, its very fragile roots do not like to be disturbed.

In middle or at edge of slightly heavy perennial beds which it lightens, tall Gypsophila paniculata, which can reach 1 m in height, will bring a vapoury relief in wild and informal gardens. Groundcover species such as Repens can cover large areas and will be perfect in rockeries, in wall crevices, in scree and in pots or planters.

All are essential to dress base of bushes and especially roses in a charming, romantic way.

When to plant Gypsophila

Planting Gypsophila is preferably done in spring, between March and April, after frosts. Autumn planting is also possible, from September to November in mild climate.

How to plant Gypsophila

In open ground

Gypsophila dislikes soils that are too heavy: add river sand or gravel to lighten soil. It does not like proximity and root competition: favour a well-aerated planting. It is a very airy plant that remains delicate: plant in large clumps for a pleasing effect in a border or herbaceous bed, allowing 5 plants per m², spaced at least 40 cm for groundcover species and 1 m for the tallest species.

• Dig a hole two to three times as deep as the width of the rootball
• Fork over soil well and remove roots and weeds. Add large stones or gravel 20 cm deep to bottom of hole
• Mix river sand or pouzzolane half and half with excavated soil
• Plant without breaking rootball and backfill hole
• Firm soil lightly with foot
• Water regularly during first summer to encourage rooting

In a pot

If groundcover species such as Gypsophila repens lend themselves well to pot culture, large varieties will also do well in fairly tall pots.

Substrate must be very free-draining to avoid stagnant moisture and root rot. Soil that is too clayey will be harmful to hardiness of this undemanding plant: improve drainage with gravel or a mix of stones.

• In a pot at least 50 cm in diameter, lay a good draining layer
• Plant in a mix composed of 50% potting compost and 50% coarse river sand or pouzzolane
• Place in full sun
• Water at planting then regularly without excess, letting soil dry between waterings

When and how to sow Gypsophila seeds

Sowing concerns varieties grown as annuals of Gypsophyle and is an option if you want to flower large areas to create a flowering meadow. Sow your Gypsophila seeds directly in early spring between April and May or in trays under cover in autumn to obtain earlier flowering.

In open ground

• Sow broadcast into well-cleared, light, free-draining soil
• Cover seeds to 3 mm depth
• Thin out to about 30 cm, more for larger Gypsophila

In trays

• Sow broadcast in a seed tray or in buckets filled with compost mixed with sand
• Cover seeds with same mix
• Press down lightly
• Keep moist under a cold frame until germination, which occurs in 21 days
• Thin out a few plants at emergence
• Prick out seedlings shortly after emergence into small buckets
• Plant out in garden when soil starts to warm, in May, in light, well-drained soil

Care and maintenance

Gypsophila requires little maintenance and little water. It is perfect in a dry garden and in country gardens.

Water regularly during first summer to encourage establishment. Once well established in well-drained soil, it will become increasingly drought-tolerant and will only need watering in prolonged drought. In a pot: always allow soil to dry out completely between waterings.

It is undemanding, tolerates poor soils and does not require fertiliser.

Regularly weed around its base and provide a mineral gravel mulch to spare yourself this chore.

Stake tall gypsophilas with brittle stems or plant them at the base of roses on which they can lean. If necessary, tie tall stems.

Remove faded flowerheads as they appear.

Creeping gypsophila varieties are not pruned: simply remove damaged stems if necessary.

Cut back dry stems of tall species after flowering.

Bouquet of Freesia and Gypsophila paniculata ‘Bristol Fairy’

Possible diseases and pests

Installed in well-drained soil, Gypsophila shows good disease resistance. It really only faces two issues: excess water and gastropods at start of growth.

Excess water in soil favours onset of fungal diseases causing rotting of stems or collar: well-drained soil will prevent development of fungi.

If young plants are devoured by slugs and snails, follow all our advice to tackle these gastropods!

Propagation: propagation by cuttings

Once well rooted, Gypsophila does not like to be disturbed, we advise against division as risk of damaging root is considerable. Moreover, Gypsophila is very easy to sow. Root cuttings are possible.

How to take a Gypsophila cutting

• In spring, take offshoots from edge of clump
• Trim these pieces of fleshy root at base
• Push them into a bed of gravel in a mix of turf and river sand
• Water occasionally
• Repot into a larger pot and plant in ground the following spring
• Pot on when cutting has sufficient roots

→ Discover Angélique’s tutorial on propagating Gypsophila

Companion planting with Gypsophila in the garden

Misty white or pink clouds of Gypsophila are perfect for playing with shades and gradients, softening intense colours. With its slender silhouette, delicate, airy foliage and pastel inflorescences, it transforms a simple perennial bed, a soft rockery or an unremarkable mixed border into a poetic picture.

Ideal plant to fill gaps and ensure continuity of flowering.

An ideal companion for old or modern roses or shrub peonies, dressing their bases and composing romantic summer scenes. It charms cottage and country gardens, bringing volume, delicacy and lightness. An essential in white gardens and pink schemes.

An example pairing: Rose ‘Munstead Wood’, Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’, Achillea ‘Love Parade’, Rose ‘Astronomia’, Gypsophila paniculata ‘Bristol Fairy’, Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’

Highlights deep pink, carmine or crimson flowers of garden poppies, carnations or sages, and glaucous foliage of Achilleas millefolium, euphorbias or even lavenders.

Its extraordinary lightness makes it perfect for planting among heavier or large‑flowered perennials, such as oriental poppies, garden irises, coneflowers, phlox, Verbascums, Hesperis matronalis or thistles.

In graceful, delicate compositions, pair it with Cosmos, gauras, delicate asters or airy Thalictrums, whose flowering it accompanies.

In a planter, it will keep company with sedums, pelargoniums and petunias.

→ Discover more pairing ideas with Gypsophila in our advice sheet