Acanthophyllum cerastioides

RHS Plant Profile

mouse-ear gypsophila

Synonyms

Gypsophila cerastioides
Gypsophila cerastioides farreri

Herbaceous Perennial Alpine Rockery

Buy this from Plant Nurseries
15 Suppliers

A mat-forming, semi-evergreen perennial 5cm tall, with tufts of grey-green hairy leaves to 10mm long and bearing panicles of shallow, trumpet-shaped white flowers, veined and tinged pink, produced over long periods from late spring to summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

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
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Caryophyllaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Matforming
Genus: Acanthophyllum are a genus of around 75 species of compact, perennial, shrub-like flowering plants with spiny leaves and pink or white flowers
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Pakistan to Tibet & Himalaya

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, sharply-drained, preferably alkaline soil in full sun. Dislikes winter wet.

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 13-18°C in winter or in a cold frame in spring; propagate by root cuttings in late winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Banks and slopes
Flower borders and beds
Garden edging

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to stem rots