Gypsophila Summer Sparkles
Gypsophila 'Summer Sparkles' photo courtesy of Walters Gardens

Baby's Breath

Baby’s Breath has come a long way over the years, with breeders improving their habit, bloom time, and longevity in the garden.  Summer Sparkles® sets a new standard in taller Gypsophilas.  Unlike most which are quite open in habit and go dormant in late summer, this new variety has a much more compact, refined looking form and looks great in the garden all season. It forms a uniform, very densely branched, rounded clump of grey-green foliage that becomes completely covered in flowers from late spring through midsummer.  The white flowers are small, semi-double, and slightly fragrant.  They are borne prolifically on all sides of the plant.  Deadheading the first round of flowers will encourage the plant to rebloom.  It fits well into the middle of the flower border and also looks great in containers where it typically stays shorter.  This is an excellent perennial to plant close to poppies so that when they go dormant this plant will fill the area.

Growing and Maintenance Tips

Baby's Breath should be grown in full sun and slightly alkaline soil. This can be accomplished by adding lime to the soil at the time of planting if the original soil is acidic. Good drainage is essential to the health of this plant. Division is not recommended as a way to propagate Gypsophila because the large, fleshy roots it produces are easily damaged and should not be disturbed. Plants should be trimmed back in spring rather than fall.

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