About

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.

About the genus

Gypsophila can be annuals or perennials, sometimes evergreen, with narrow, greyish leaves and large sprays of small flowers

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

CultivationGrow in light, sharply-drained, preferably alkaline soil in full sun. Dislikes winter wet.
PruningCut back after flowering to encourage a second flush of flowers
PropagationPropagate by specialised root grafting for named cultivars, in late winter where scions of stem are grafted onto sections of root
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to stem rots