Gypsophila paniculata 'Viette's Dwarf'
Tried and True Recommended by 3 Professionals
Common Name: baby's breath
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Zone: 3 to 9
Height: 1 to 1.5 feet
Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet
Bloom Time: May to August
Bloom Description: Pink
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry
Maintenance: Medium
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Tolerates: Dry Soil, Drought

Culture

Grow in average, somewhat dry, well-drained soils in full sun. Prefers alkaline soils (pH7.0 to 7.5). Add lime to acidic soils. Soils must have good drainage. Plants may not survive winter in wet, poorly drained soils. Likes to be left undisturbed once established. Cut back or shear after flowering to promote rebloom.

Noteworthy Characteristics

In addition to being a fine garden plant, baby’s breath is a mainstay filler plant of the floral industry. ‘Viette’s Dwarf’ is a compact cultivar that typically grows to only 12-15” tall and rarely needs staking or support. It is a diffusely branched, mound-forming plant that features numerous, long-lasting, double pink flowers in open airy panicles on wiry, jointed stems. Flowers slowly age to white. The main flush of bloom is late spring to early summer. Lance-shaped, blue-green leaves are somewhat sparse. Sprays of baby’s breath are frequently used as filler in bouquets and floral arrangements.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems but needs good drainage. Some susceptibility to botrytis and aster yellows.

Garden Uses

Perennial borders. May be used as summer filler to cover areas once occupied by early spring wildflowers, bulbs or other plants that disappear into dormancy by early summer.