Botanical Name: Gypsophila paniculata
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Common Name: Baby's Breath  
Plant photo of: Gypsophila paniculata
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Perennial

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Pink, White

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Blue Green, Grey Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Meadow, Ranch

 

Accenting Features

n/a

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Filler, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:
  • Description

  • Notes

This bouquet classic is an old-fashioned garden favorite. Frothy stems are covered little, white to pale pink blossoms from late spring to mid to late summer. Foliage is mostly basal, and is small and fine. Late to emerge in the spring, it is an ideal companion for spring bulbs, oriental poppies, and other spring favorites that have less than lovely summer foliage, as baby's breath swells and fills the void. Grows about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. There are a number of named cultivars selected for flower size and color. The quintessential bouquet filler.
Grow in well drained, somewhat dry, poor soils in full sun. Prefers neutral to alkaline soils. Cut back after blooming to encourage reblooming. Its deep taproot makes it drought tolerant, but also hard to transplant and divide once established.