Gypsophila paniculata White Festival

Gypsophila 'White Festival' is a new variety of hybrid gypsophila that is particularly floriferous. Its long-lasting summer flowering consists of delicate semi-double white flowers, gathered in airy bouquets, towering over a cushion of narrow, bluish-green leaves. Like all gypsophilas, it thrives in full sun and requires a porous, well-drained soil, preferably limestone. A water-efficient perennial, full of poetry, excellent in borders, pots, or vases. Combine it with your most beautiful roses or bellflowers.

Gypsophila 'White Festival' belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family. It is a horticultural hybrid from the improved 'Festival' series, resulting from the cross-breeding of Gypsophila paniculata and G. repens. Gypsophilas are sun-loving plants, native to central and eastern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean basin. They are found on rocky and dry slopes, on limestone terrain. These herbaceous plants are perennials, with a deep root system that allows them to anchor deeply in the soil and draw some moisture from it. They do not like to be moved.

'White Festival' first develops a tuft of leafy, carpet-like, and dense stems, forming a cushion. Its adult size will reach 60-70 cm (24-28in) in height when in bloom, and it will gradually spread to 50 cm (20in) in width, or even more. The flowers keep appearing from June-July to September if the soil remains somewhat moist.  They are in the form of numerous, more or less, double white flowers. The flowers are organised in large, intensely branched panicles, and the whole disappears under a mist that is both very bright and extremely light. The deciduous to semi-evergreen foliage in winter, of a medium bluish-green colour, consists of small, fleshy, linear leaves, 1 to 3 cm (1in) long. It is carried by initially prostrate, then ascending stems.

Gypsophila 'White Festival' has its place in rock gardens, light and well-exposed borders, among shrubby salvias, old roses, and perennials such as Oriental poppy or Gaura. This plant particularly enhances perennials with large flowers such as certain daylilies or lilies. It is superb next to shrubby mallows, double-flowered Hibiscus syriacus, compact buddleias... It also adapts very well to containers and flower pots. Finally, it is a very pretty flower for dried or fresh bouquets.