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Herbaceous Perennial

Gypsophila paniculata 'Perfect Alba'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

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 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
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
H7
Botanical details
Family
Caryophyllaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
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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