Clouds of tiny white flowers smother low cushions of grassy foliage, spilling over the edge of a low wall or cascading down the sides of a pot. Creeping alpine gypsophila (Gypsophila repens) is a ground-cover perennial for rocky ground; give it full sun and a chalky, well-drained soil, even dry, and it blooms abundantly.
| Name | Gypsophila repens |
|---|---|
| Family | Caryophyllaceae |
| Type | perennial |
| Height | 7 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) |
| Exposure | full sun |
| Soil | ordinary, chalky, well drained and even dry |
| Flowering | late spring to autumn |
Caring for it from planting to pruning is easy and its ornamental impact on rocky ground and stone walls is guaranteed.
From nursery pots, better plant in fall, but also in spring as long as it doesn’t freeze.
Creeping baby’s breath grows into beautiful flowered mounds. It easily cascades down the sides of pots, making it excellent to decorate terraces and balconies.
Beyond the creeping alpine species, garden centres and seed catalogues offer a handful of baby’s breath varieties that behave very differently. Height and habit are what decide whether a plant trails over a wall or stands up in a border.
| Variety | Height | Flowers | Flowering season |
|---|---|---|---|
| ‘Covent Garden’ | 18 in (45 cm) | single, large white | early summer to late summer, from spring sowing |
| ‘Alba’ | 6 in (15 cm) | single, pure white | late spring to midsummer |
| ‘Festival Star’ | 12 to 16 in (30–40 cm) | double, white | midsummer to early autumn |
| ‘Rosea’ | 6 to 8 in (15–20 cm) | single, pale pink | late spring to midsummer |
| ‘Flamingo’ | 3 ft (90 cm) | double, pale pink | midsummer |
| ‘Compacta Plena’ | 18 in (45 cm) | double, white | midsummer to late summer |
| ‘Rosenschleier’ (Rosy Veil) | 12 to 16 in (30–40 cm) | double, blush pink | midsummer to early autumn |
| ‘Bristol Fairy’ | 3 ft (90 cm) | double, white | midsummer |
Gypsophila is a very easy plant to care for that requires practically no care at all and grows abundantly.
Remove wilted flowers regularly if you wish.
This grassy perennial makes for ground cover and can become a shrubby plant, and you’ll be thrilled with its very cute tiny white flowers.
On a bed of rocky ground, along a low wall or in a spot among cobblestones, it will quickly settle in and swoon you with its abundant blooming.
Take care to provide for enough space upon planting, because this plant can spread quickly and gobble up space.
