Gypsophila paniculata 'Bristol Fairy' (d)

RHS Plant Profile

baby's breath 'Bristol Fairy'

Herbaceous Perennial

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An herbaceous perennial to 1.2m in height, making a broad mound of slender stems with narrow, grey-green leaves and large, open panicles of pure white double flowers 12mm in width in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 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
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: Bushy
Genus: Gypsophila can be annuals or perennials, sometimes evergreen, with narrow, greyish leaves and large sprays of small flowers
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a deep, light, preferably alkaline, very well-drained soil in full sun; dislikes winter wet

Propagation

Propagate by the specialised root grafting in late winter. Here scions of stem are grafted onto sections of root.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Gravel garden
Cottage and informal garden
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 a stem rot