Gypsophila paniculata 'Perfect Alba'

RHS Plant Profile
baby's breath 'Perfect Alba'

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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.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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