Gypsophila is a perennial planting. Gypsophila growing from seeds

Gypsophila (Gypsophila) is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the clove family. Its name can be translated as “lime-loving.” Indeed, its habitat in the wild is limestone. People called it: a child’s breath, a bride’s veil, a tumbleweed, a tumbleweed, and a gypsum lover. Its natural habitat can be called some countries of Eurasia and Northeast Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Botanical description and optimal conditions for growing gypsophila

Gypsophila is a shrub or subshrub from twenty to one hundred and fifty centimeters in height. It is characterized by powerful, taprooted or branched rhizomes and creeping or erect stems. Whole, small foliage can be lanceolate, oval or spatulate in shape. During flowering, the plants are decorated with loose panicle inflorescences, which are formed from small simple or double flowers of white, greenish or pink color. They have a very pleasant aroma. The fruits are single-locular polysperms that can be ovoid or spherical in shape.

To plant gypsophila, you should choose dry, well-lit areas. The soil should be loose, light, air and moisture permeable with a slightly alkaline reaction. Caring for gypsophila consists of watering as needed, monthly feeding with complex mineral fertilizers, weeding and carrying out preventive inspections for the presence of diseases and pests. Before flowering begins, you need to provide the bushes with supports, so that they do not break under the weight of numerous inflorescences. To prevent gypsophila from growing too much, pinching and pruning should be done. This will also ensure that the plant grows lush with new shoots growing.

Features of growing gypsophila (video)

Main varieties of gypsophila

Currently, more than one hundred species of gypsophila are known. Only a few of them, as well as their hybrid varieties, are used in home gardening.

Gypsophila graceful

Graceful gypsophila (Gypsophila elegans) is a highly branching shrub with a spherical shape. Its height ranges from forty to sixty centimeters. Small green foliage has a lanceolate shape. Openwork thyroid inflorescences are formed from small flowers of white or pink color. Flowering is usually very abundant, but short.

Gypsophila Pacifica, or Pacifica

Pacific gypsophila or Pacifica (Gypsophila pacifica) are large bushes that can reach a height of one meter. It is characterized by strong stems with many shoots. The lanceolate foliage is dark green and may have a blue-gray tinge. The diameter of the pale pink flowers ranges from five to eight centimeters.

Gypsophila paniculata (paniculata)

Gypsophila paniculata (Gypsophila paniculata) looks like a large spherical bush that grows up to one hundred and twenty centimeters in height. It is characterized by a highly branched stem with pubescent, narrow foliage of gray-green color. Panicle inflorescences are formed from very small flowers about six centimeters in diameter. This species has many very beautiful hybrid varieties with double flowers. The most popular among gardeners are the following:

• Gypsophila Terry - height up to ninety centimeters, white flowers;
• Gypsophila Snowflake height up to fifty centimeters, white flowers;
• Gypsophila Pink Star - height up to sixty centimeters, dark pink flowers;
• Gypsophila Flamingo - height up to one hundred and twenty centimeters, flowers deep pink;
• Gypsophila Rosenschleier - height up to forty centimeters, pale pink flowers.

Gypsophila wall, or creeping

Creeping gypsophila (Gypsophila muralis) is a creeping species. Its bushes are quite compact and dense, they reach from ten to forty centimeters in height and have the shape of small pillows or slides. The shoots are densely strewn with linear foliage of bright green color. Small flowers may be white or pale pink. Of the varieties of this species, the most common is Gypsophila Rose.

Gypsophila splinter-shaped

Gypsophila cerastioides (Gypsophila cerastioides) is a small creeping plant. It grows in fluffy mats up to ten centimeters in height. The fluffy, egg-shaped foliage is no more than one and a half centimeters long. Flowers up to two centimeters in diameter can be purple or white with burgundy veins.

Growing perennial and annual gypsophila from seeds

Perennial and annual gypsophila is best grown in the garden from pre-grown seedlings or by sowing seeds in the fall. To collect planting material, you need to cut off the fruit boxes that form after flowering. This should be done after they turn yellow and dry. Then you should pour out the seeds from them, dry them well and place them in paper bags. The shelf life of seed material should not exceed three years, after which the germination rate sharply decreases. If it is not possible to collect seeds from plants, you can purchase them in specialized stores. In this case, you should pay attention to their expiration date.

Soil requirements and preparatory work

Before planting seedlings or gypsophila seeds in the garden, you should properly prepare the planting site. This can be done both in spring and autumn. The selected area must be dug well and applied to each square meter ten kilograms of humus and fifty grams of lime. For better permeability, you can additionally fill the planting site with coarse sand. After this, you need to dig again to a shallow depth and level the soil.

How to sow gypsophila (video)

Technology and timing of seed planting

And in May planting material planted in open ground. As a rule, seedlings tolerate transplantation very easily and begin to develop quickly. To plant, you need to take seedling boxes, place a drainage layer in them and fill them with a mixture of peat and coarse sand. Spread the seeds, cover them with a thin layer of soil and gently moisten them. After this, the containers need to be tightened with polyethylene or covered with glass. Then they should be transferred to a bright room with an air temperature of twenty-two to twenty-five degrees. If the seeds are fresh, then shoots will appear after ten days. When the seedlings have two true leaves, they are planted in containers with an interval of at least fifteen centimeters or in individual pots.

To plant seedlings in the prepared area, small holes should be made, no more than three in one square area. If you plant plants more often, then as they grow, they will interfere with each other’s full development. Boxes with seedlings should be well watered in advance. When planting, seedlings must be carefully removed from the container, planted in holes, lightly watered and mulched with peat or sawdust.

If the seeds are planted directly into the ground, then you need to prepare a small bed with nutritious soil for them. After this, they should be evenly distributed over the surface of the soil, lightly sprinkled and gently moistened. Sowing is usually carried out in late September or early October. For the winter, gypsophila plantings should be covered with dry leaves, covered with spruce branches, and when snow falls, you can additionally fill the bed with it.

In the spring, after the emerged plants have formed two or three true leaves, they can be planted in an area prepared for them. In some cases, perennial gypsophila grown from seeds may bloom only in the third year of growth. You should also know that Only species and varieties with simple flower shapes can be propagated by seeds. This method is not suitable for terry varieties, since the terry quality is lost. They can only be propagated by cuttings or dividing the bush.

At proper care bushes of a perennial plant can grow normally in one place for up to twenty-five years. If for some reason it was not possible to plant gypsophila seeds in the fall, you can do it in the spring. In this case, the resulting young specimens are transplanted to permanent place growth in early autumn and carefully covered for the winter.

The Best Plant Companions for Gypsophila

Both white and pink perennial gypsophila look great as an independent planting, both single and group. But the advantage of all types and hybrid varieties of this plant is that it looks good in combination with many garden plants, creating bright and delicate plantings. It is planted next to balsams and phlox. Marigolds, godetias, monads, tulips and eschscholzia can be excellent companions for her. Designers advise combining its plantings with roses and various perennials that have large, brightly colored flowers.

This plant is suitable not only for decorating flower beds. It is used for borders, alpine slides, rockeries, ridges and rocky gardens. Gypsophila remains fresh for a long time when cut. The bouquets in which it is included acquire special elegance, lightness and splendor. It is used to decorate wedding ceremonies. Many people dry its shoots with flowers and then create various flower arrangements from them.

Rules for preparing perennial gypsophila for winter

Most types of perennial gypsophila are quite frost-resistant.. However, for better preservation of plants during cold winters, you should take care of the shelter in advance and properly prepare the plant for wintering. To do this, you need to trim the gypsophila stems, leaving about ten centimeters above the soil. After this, the soil must be mulched with peat, the plant must be covered with dry leaves and covered with pine or spruce branches which will hold back the snow.

Varieties of gypsophila (video)

For all its beauty, airiness and delicacy, gypsophila is a completely unpretentious plant. It is easy to care for and easy to propagate. With very little effort you can get an absolutely amazing, charming, elegant plant with a light aroma. This flower will be a particularly delicate decoration for any garden plot, bouquet or flower arrangement.

An amazing weightless cloud of small flowers spread out in the garden - this is what a plant called gypsophila looks like. It is indispensable in landscape design. Available in annual and perennial varieties.

Description of perennial gypsophila

Features of growth and flowering

Gypsophila - interesting plant. Low, herbaceous, with a branched stem, narrow leaves growing abundantly on the lower part of the stems, and thousands of small flowers collected in panicles. Despite its external simplicity, it harmonizes with plants that have large flowers, and, even growing separately, pleases the eye with its volume and lightness. In addition, gypsophila attracts butterflies.

The lack of scale in the ground part, a certain “superficiality” of the plant, is compensated by a solid root that goes to a depth of 70 cm. Gypsophila, despite its external simplicity, takes root for its entire life. The powerful root gives the plant the following features:

• poor sensitivity to dry weather;
• frost resistance;
• Due to the long root, replanting gypsophila is very difficult, so it is planted immediately in a permanent place.

The level of difficulty in growing gypsophila is easy.

Types of perennial gypsophila

Perennial gypsophila has several dozen species. In addition to common species, in nature there are endemics of unique natural reservoirs.

Let's consider the most convenient and promising species for breeding.

Gypsophila paniculata. This is the most famous species. Distributed everywhere, originally endemic to the steppes of Eurasia. In Russia it grows wild in the southern regions from the Volga region to the Chinese border. As you can see from the photo, Gypsophila paniculata has a well-textured appearance.

Characteristics of the type:

• flowers - white, pink (from light to dark), some varieties can change color as the bud opens;
• flowering period - summer, early autumn;
• leaf color - gray-green;
• size of flowers - large compared to other species (up to 0.8 cm);
• height - from 30 cm to 120 cm;
• spread in width - up to 100 cm;
• use - growing in a flower bed, in a flower garden, group growing, cutting for home decor and bouquets.

The most famous varieties of gypsophila paniculata: Bristol Fairy, Pink Fairy, Alba, Flamingo, Rosenschleier, Rosie Vale.

Creeping gypsophila. Unpretentious plant mountains and rocky European terrain, so it can grow in rocky areas. Compared to other gypsophila, this species is a dwarf.

Characteristics of the type:

• flowers - white, pink;
• flowering period - the first half of summer;
• leaf color - dark green;
• size of flowers - small;
• height - from 10 cm to 20 cm;
• spread in width - up to 50 cm;
• resistance to frost, drought and other influences - high, but without cover on rocky areas it can freeze out;
• use - rocky surfaces, lawns.

The most famous varieties of creeping gypsophila: pink, meadow, Fratensis, Monstrosa, Alba.

Gypsophila splinter-shaped. Another mountain species - grows in the Himalayas at altitudes up to 5 thousand m. Compact beautiful plant, unpretentious and hardened by the harsh mountain climate. It has a suitable texture for landscape modeling.

Characteristics of the type:

• flowers - white;
• flowering period - from late spring to mid-summer;
• leaf color - dark green;
• size of flowers - small;
• height - from 10 cm to 20 cm;
• spread in width - up to 30 cm;
• resistance to frost, drought and other influences - high;
• use - rocky surfaces, lawns, mass planting, landscape edging.

Other representatives of gypsophila.

• Arecioid - unusual plant, growing in the mountains of Iran, compact cushions 3 cm high, flowers - white, frost resistance - low;
• Patrena - in appearance it resembles a shrub, practically without leaves, the flowers are large, white with a green or purple stripe in the middle, not of great aesthetic value for garden growing;
• Pacific - distributed to Far East and in the border areas of China, a tall plant - up to 80 cm, large wide leaves and pink flowers light tone, the species is resistant to frost. The photo shows that it looks good surrounded by other flowers;
• Uralskaya is a small plant with a modest appearance, flowers are white and pink, grows on the mountains and river banks of the Urals.

Growing perennial gypsophila from seeds

Preparing the soil and choosing a site for planting

Let's give General requirements plants to environmental conditions:

1. Illumination - open sun, perhaps light short-term shading during the day.
2. The soil is loose, sandy, calcareous; rocky surfaces.
3. Soil acidity is non-acidic, up to 6.3 pH.
4. Soil moisture - small, dry soil, dies from groundwater, passing close to the root.

The choice of place for planting gypsophila depends on what type of plant is intended and what goal the gardener is pursuing. For example, gypsophila paniculata is a large plant that has more of a background role in the garden and looks good surrounded by vegetation with larger flowers. Creeping and splinter-shaped - ideal for rockeries, decorating alpine hills, rocky surfaces and rocky slopes. Small species can accentuate the landscape borders of the garden, and can also line the surface like lawn grass.

Gypsophila is unpretentious, but loves well-drained, porous soil. Before planting, the soil should be dug well, add pebbles, sand, and loosen. The plant prefers calcareous rocks - you can add a little lime (chalk) to the soil.

Yulia Petrichenko, expert

How to grow gypsophila seedlings

Seeds are planted in closed ground in March. You can take regular soil from the garden or purchase ready soil in the shop. Given that the plant will have to grow in the garden, some natural soil must be present in the planting soil in any case. Sand and pebbles will not be superfluous. Add chalk to the soil. The soil should not be compacted - gypsophila does not like dense surfaces.

Before planting, the soil is moistened. The seeds are placed directly on the ground; you can symbolically sprinkle the seeds with a very thin layer of earth. To avoid further diving, the seeds should be distributed at a distance of 7-10 cm from each other. Next, the container in which planting occurs is covered with film and left at room temperature.

The first shoots appear 2-3 days after planting. The first leaf - in 2-3 weeks. The film should be removed when the seedlings become stronger. Gypsophila needs sun - the seedlings should be on a sunny windowsill. Water as needed. Rooted shoots, like adult plants, do not tolerate excess dampness. A month after planting the seeds, the number of leaves can reach 6 pieces. At the end of April or May, the strengthened seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place in the garden.

Planting seeds in open ground

In general, growing gypsophila seedlings indoors is not important. If there are a lot of seeds, and there is no desire to start seedlings, you can plant the seeds directly in the garden.

If the weather is warm, in the second half of April or May, we prepare the soil in the manner described above, moisten it, mineralize it, sprinkle the seeds with soil, and water it. Within 10 days, sprouts will appear. After 3 weeks, the seedlings are planted, maintaining a distance between shoots of 10-15 cm.

In autumn, young plants are transplanted to a permanent place, maintaining a distance between plants in accordance with their expected size.

Caring for perennial gypsophila

How to make supports for an adult plant

If we grow gypsophila paniculata or other tall species of this plant, then under the weight of the stems they have the habit of bending in one or more directions. This significantly reduces the visual effect, violating the overall proportions of the “blooming cloud”, forming voids in it. To prevent this from happening, additional care is required in the form of installed wooden supports. These can be supports in the form of a slingshot or U-shaped supports - depending on the size of the plant, the degree and direction of its “collapse”.

The supports will disappear as the plant continues to grow and flower.

How to prune a bush in autumn

Gypsophila is not a shrub, but a herbaceous plant. After the end of the growing season, i.e. After it fades and the stems dry out, pruning is required. As a rule, this happens in mid-October. The stems are trimmed in such a way that the remaining dry stems are no more than 5-7 cm in height.

Preparing for winter

Gypsophila is a frost-resistant plant that takes deep roots and therefore, as a rule, does not require special preparation for winter. There is an opinion that some less common varieties need to be specially covered for the winter: with burlap, rags, or tree bark. This can be done for the purpose of insurance, in particular when it comes to young plants that have not yet had time to take root properly, as well as those that are not frost-resistant.

The most best shelter for gypsophila it is snow cover. If there is not enough snow, it needs to be replenished.

Gypsophila propagation

The best option for propagating gypsophila is to obtain seedlings by planting seeds. Practice shows that this is the simplest and most effective method.

In addition to growing from seeds, perennial species can be propagated in the standard way, by rooting parts of an adult plant. Before the flowering period, at the end of spring, the top 5-8 cm long is cut off from the stem. The soil is prepared in special containers for rooting: it is loosened, pebbles, lime, sand are added - it is brought closer to the option on which the plant will grow in the future.

Before rooting, the soil is well moistened. The cuttings are slightly immersed in the ground. Pots with cuttings are placed in a warm, bright place without sun rays. Some gardeners advise covering the cuttings with film for a greenhouse effect. However, for proper development, the plant must breathe: covering the cuttings with film does not guarantee their better survival rate. The plant will take root in 2-3 weeks and will take root completely 1-2 months after planting. At the end of summer, rooted young shoots need to be moved to open ground to a permanent place.

Feeding, watering and combating gypsophila diseases

With enough sunlight, gypsophila can grow beautifully without adding additional fertilizer. She loves limestone surfaces. In order for it to feel in its natural environment, lime should be added to the soil. Many gardeners add humus and ready-made organic and mineral fertilizers to the soil, which do not increase the acidity of the soil. However, the plant is not demanding about this.

Watering should be given attention. Despite the fact that the plant does not like excess moisture and mold and tolerates drought well, it requires sufficient moisture for spectacular flowering. Young bushes require more frequent watering: in hot weather - daily, in moderate dryness - once every 2-3 days. Mature bushes should be brought to dry soil and then watered. Watering should be carried out directly under the root.

Gypsophila loves dry climates - many of its representatives grow high in the mountains, where rain is rare. Excessive moisture, including that resulting from wetting flowers, leaves and stems, can lead to various kinds fungi that cause gray rot, rust, smut, jaundice and other diseases. Getting rid of fungal diseases is done using a solution laundry soap(2%) and copper sulfate(0.2%), or foundation solution (0.2%). The treatment should be repeated at least once every month. If the disease does not go away, treatment should be carried out several times.

Gypsophila is also affected by root-knot and cyst nematodes. In these cases, disinfection is carried out using thiazone.

Perennial gypsophila - nice ornamental plant, will be appropriate in any flower bed and garden, applicable in landscape design. She is easy to care for and unpretentious.

What varieties and types of gypsophila do you grow in your region? Perhaps you know of any subtleties in growing this plant that were not touched upon in this article? Please share your experience in the comments.

Perennial gypsophila is very popular among amateur gardeners; planting and caring for it usually does not cause much trouble. And a delicate cloud formed by gypsophila flowers will help create an interesting composition along with other flowering plants or decorate the landscape design of your summer cottage yourself.

Gypsophila is perfect for Moorish lawns.

What is gypsophila?

The flowering plant gypsophila (lat. gypsophila) belongs to the clove family. The Latin name of the plant translates as “lime-loving”, “friendly with lime”. In nature, many types of gypsophila grow on calcareous soil. Gypsophila is also called tumbleweed, tumbleweed, and “baby’s breath.”

The distribution area of ​​gypsophila is wide: Europe, Asia, Southern Siberia, Altai, North-East Africa, New Zealand. Gypsophila has been known in cultural gardening since the second half of the 18th century. To date, more than 100 species of annual and perennial gypsophila have been bred.

Gypsophila, depending on the species, can be a herbaceous plant or a subshrub. The average height of the main stem of an adult subshrub is 50-60 cm. Some species grow up to 1-1.5 m. The flower stem has a length of 10 to 50 cm, it can be erect, bare or branched. There is almost no foliage on it. Individual small leaves have a solid lanceolate shape.

The flowers are small - 0.4-0.7 cm, collected in lush panicle inflorescences. The flowers, double or regular, are white, whitish-green or pink.

In landscape design, perennial gypsophila is usually used. This plant looks great in mixborders, on stone slides or flower beds. Perennial gypsophila is often planted as separate bushes or in compositions of different types this plant.

Planting gypsophila by seed

Gypsophila reproduces by seeds. Cultural planting is carried out using the grafting method and cuttings. You can use rooting of mature plants.

The seed method of propagating gypsophila is considered the most practical and effective. Therefore, it is used most often by gardeners. In order to properly prepare seedlings, you need to prepare:

• container for planting;
• a spatula for mixing soil components;
• watering can or water spray;
• plastic film;
• scissors.

Gypsophila is grown from seeds. The finished seedlings are planted in the ground.

Preparing gypsophila seedlings usually begins in March. The planting container is filled with special soil or soil from the area where the plant will be planted.

Sand, crushed stone or small pebbles and chalk or lime must be added to the planting soil, since gypsophila loves calcareous soils. All ingredients must be thoroughly mixed, but not compacted, because... gypsophila takes root and grows better in loose soil. The prepared soil is laid out in a planting container and slightly moistened immediately before placing the seeds. The seeds are placed on the surface of the prepared soil at intervals of 1 to 10 cm and lightly sprinkled with soil. Then the seedlings need to be covered with film and left at room temperature.

IN optimal conditions and on suitable soil gypsophila seeds can sprout first on the 4th or 5th day after planting. The first leaf appears after about 15-20 days. After 30 days, the number of leaves increases to 5 or 6 pieces. The film must be removed from mature shoots. The main thing is that the seedlings receive a sufficient amount from the very beginning. sunlight.

Watering is done as needed so as not to over-moisten the soil. After 1.5-2 months (in April or May), the strengthened seedlings can be planted in open ground. Since gypsophila grows strongly, no more than 3 seedlings are planted per 1 sq.m. When planting in 1 row, the distance between plants must be at least 0.5 m. In 2 rows, plants are planted with an interval of 0.7 m. The distance between rows must be at least 1 m.

If necessary, having a sufficient amount of seed material, seedlings can be grown in open ground. This is usually done in the second half of spring, so that at the time of planting the weather is already consistently warm and dry. The soil is moistened, mineralized, drainage and chalk (lime) are added to it. The seeds are distributed over the surface and covered with a thin layer of soil. Watering is in progress.

After 8-10 days, the first shoots appear. After 20 days, the seedlings are planted using small pegs. The distance between the shoots should be at least 10-15 cm. Then the young plants grow and become stronger without special care until the fall, when they can be planted in a permanent place.

Cuttings and grafting

Gypsophila for bouquets is cut with ordinary pruning shears along the branches.

Propagating gypsophila by cuttings is a rather troublesome process that requires certain experience and skills in gardening. Gypsophila cuttings are cut in the spring and treated with a heteroauxin solution for better rooting. For cuttings, the tops of young shoots of a non-flowering plant are used. The optimal length of 1 cutting is 5-6 cm.

The cuttings are planted under film in pots with a light limestone substrate. Keep in a warm but shaded place, observing the watering regime. For more effective rooting of cuttings indoors, it is necessary to maintain high air humidity.

After planting in soil prepared in the same way as for seed seedlings, the cuttings are covered with jars and shaded. Water regularly, but little by little.

It is also better to vaccinate in the spring. The prepared cuttings are carefully inserted into the split root stem of an adult healthy plant.

Read more about watering and feeding adult plants

Lime is a good fertilizer and soil disinfectant.

Gypsophila is a drought-resistant plant, but it requires regular watering. Young plants are watered every 2-3 days in the warm season. In hot weather, watering is done daily. Mature plants that are well rooted in the soil should be watered when the soil around the stem is completely dry. When watering, you need to moisten the soil around the main root, avoiding getting the above-ground part of the plant wet.

Healthy plants can be fertilized by adding to the soil:

• lime or chalk;
• mineral fertilizers;
• humus;
• organic fertilizers.

Fertilizers should not increase the acidity of the soil. It is not recommended to use manure to feed gypsophila.

Important points in caring for gypsophila

Gypsophila does not tolerate excess moisture well and can die from large amounts of groundwater.

This factor should be taken into account when choosing a place to plant a plant on the site. In addition, gypsophila requires a large amount of sunlight. For its normal growth, only slight shading is allowed.

When perennial gypsophila begins to actively bloom, under the weight of the blooming flowers, the main stem of the bush usually deviates from the vertical line. A crooked bush does not look so attractive and may break off. Therefore, for such bushes they are installed wooden supports in accordance with the size of the bush, direction and degree of deviation of the stem. Subsequently, the support will be hidden under new shoots and flowers.

Preparing for winter

After the gypsophila has finished blooming, they begin to prepare it for winter. Since this plant is herbaceous, it is necessary to trim the dried stems so that their length does not exceed 7 cm.

Although gypsophila is considered a frost-resistant crop, protection from the cold will still be useful. Especially in those regions where there is no high snow cover during the winter months. Therefore, before the onset of cold weather, plants, especially young ones, with a still weak root system, are covered with tree bark, rags or burlap.

What causes gypsophila and how to treat it?

Hispophila is often used to make a bridal bouquet.

Caring for plants also includes treating them for various diseases. Most often, gypsophila suffers from fungal diseases that develop due to excessive soil moisture. For example, with improper watering, frequent rains, and an abundance of groundwater. Fungi can cause:

• firebrand;
• jaundice;
• rust;
• gray rot.

To get rid of the fungus, the diseased plant is treated with fungicides. For example, a 0.2% solution of foundationazole. Another antifungal agent is a solution of copper sulfate (0.2%) and laundry soap (2%). Repeated antifungal treatment must be done within 30 days.

Another common problem when growing gypsophila is roundworms or nematodes. When infected with a cyst or root-knot nematode, plants are treated with thiazone.

Using gypsophila to decorate bouquets

Gypsophila sprigs are constantly used by florists to create elegant bouquets. In combination with larger and brighter flowers, these airy shoots can achieve an original design effect. But even simple bouquets from gypsophila will add warmth and comfort to the interior. For this you can use not only fresh, but also dried twigs. It is enough to simply place a flowering branch of gypsophila in a vase without pouring water. Over time, the branch will dry out, but will remain elegant and attractive throughout the long winter months, reminiscent of summer.

Perennial gypsophila adorns many gardens. An airy, very beautiful and graceful plant looks great both in landscape design and in a bouquet. Even novice amateur gardeners can grow it.

gentle cloud

Gypsophila is a herbaceous plant of the Clove family. The strongly branched stem rarely reaches a height of more than 50 cm and forms a dense bush. The leaves are narrow-lanceolate, collected in a basal rosette and have a rich green color. During the flowering period, which begins in June, the plant is covered with many small snow-white, pink or red flowers. They are collected in wide paniculate inflorescences, which makes the plant look like a small cloud that has descended to the ground. This extraordinary beauty can last until frost.

Perennial gypsophila has a fairly powerful, deep root that can reach a length of up to 70 cm. Thanks to it, the plant is very resistant to drought. Such a root makes replanting problematic, so it is recommended to immediately plant gypsophila in a permanent place, where it can grow for up to 25 years.

In the wild, this plant can be found in many European countries, Africa, and Australia. In Russia, gypsophila, known as gypsophila, or kichim, is widespread in Siberia and Altai.

Growing conditions

This plant belongs to the category of the most unpretentious, so it can grow on any soil, but it feels best in areas rich in lime. This feature is emphasized even by the name, which literally translates as “friend of lime.” It also prefers drained loamy and sandy loam soils that have a neutral reaction. It is not at all difficult to choose a place where perennial gypsophila will grow.

Planting and caring for it will become even easier if the plant is located in a well-lit area. To do this, it is enough just to provide regular watering and fertilizing.

Varieties

Gypsophila paniculata is considered one of the most common among perennial varieties. This is a fairly tall plant, the taproot of which can go to a depth of up to one and a half meters. Numerous flower stalks, rising above a rosette of small and narrow leaves, form a very beautiful spherical bush, the height of which sometimes reaches 1 m. The flowering period begins in July and lasts more than a month. Small (up to 0.6 cm in diameter) flowers are white or pink. Depending on the variety, they can be simple or terry.

Perennial gypsophila paniculata is divided into several varieties. Among them, Flamingo, Plena, Nana Plena are especially popular. A very interesting variety is Rosy Veil, the flowers of which are initially white, gradually becoming pink. All these varieties are good for cutting.

Flower growers are very fond of creeping gypsophila, which is native to the mountains of Western Europe. This creeping perennial is grown primarily as a ground cover. Its height does not exceed 20 cm, and the shoots, covered with small bluish leaves, are pressed tightly to the ground. White or pink flowers up to 0.8 cm in diameter large quantities They shower the plant during the flowering period, which usually begins in June. As a rule, creeping gypsophila is used in rockeries and terraces, forming a ground cover.

Propagation by cuttings

This method is used to propagate primarily double perennial gypsophila. Until the inflorescences form, planting material is prepared. Young cuttings are cut and treated with a heteroauxin-containing solution, after which they are planted in boxes with a loose substrate, where a little chalk is added. The planting density is approximately 150 pieces per 1 sq. meter.

Boxes with seedlings are placed in a warm and well-lit place, but they must be protected from direct sunlight. Optimal temperature air for growth is 18-20 ⁰С. In order for the root system to develop properly, it is necessary to create high humidity, and the duration of daylight should be at least 12 hours.

Gypsophila is planted in a permanent place in one of the warmest summer months, but taking into account the fact that rooting must take place completely before the onset of autumn frosts.

Propagation by seeds

This is a very common method of propagating a plant such as perennial gypsophila. Growing seedlings in an apartment or in a greenhouse is done using seeds harvested in the fall. They are sown in April in a special container filled with soil mixture and covered with glass. The main thing is to provide humidity and warmth. The emerging seedlings are immediately thinned out so that the seedlings are located at a distance of 15 cm from each other. In May, when warm weather sets in, they are transplanted into open ground.

The plant fully matures and forms only by the third summer season, but already in the second year after sowing you can see perennial gypsophila blooming. Seeds can also be planted directly into the ground. It is recommended to do this in spring or autumn. Grown plants are planted in a permanent place no more than 3 pieces per square meter.

Care

Although the plant is unpretentious, it cannot be done without care. During hot periods, sufficient watering is required. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that there is no stagnation of water, which perennial gypsophila cannot tolerate.

Planting and caring for it is not burdensome and is not much different from most garden crops. In addition to watering, the plant needs to be fertilized. This is done a maximum of 2 times during the entire season. As a top dressing, you can use ready-made complex mineral fertilizers, adding them to the soil, or water them with mullein infusion. Under no circumstances should fresh manure be used for this.

Perennial gypsophila grows very quickly, so it is necessary to regulate its growth so that it does not turn into a weed. In addition, due to its high growth rate, gypsophila is able to displace all other crops. Young plants, the root system of which has not yet fully formed, are transplanted quite easily, which is worth taking advantage of.

After flowering ends, the bushes are pruned so that 3 or 4 stems are preserved at the root. Despite the fact that gypsophila is a frost-resistant plant, it is recommended to cover it with spruce branches for the winter.

Diseases and pests

This plant is quite resistant to various diseases and pests. But if you don't provide him necessary care, possible infection of gypsophila with gray mold, rust, root-knot or cyst nematode.

To combat the latter, the plant is sprayed with phosphamide. If this does not give a positive result, you have to dig up the bush and wash the roots in hot water, which is destructive for the nematode. In mild climates with high humidity air, perennial gypsophila may suffer from gray rot. Plant care must necessarily include preventive measures aimed at combating fungal diseases. Spraying with Bordeaux mixture or oxychome is usually sufficient.

Application in landscape design

Gypsophila is very often used to decorate alpine slides, rockeries, borders and flower beds. This plant is also suitable as a solitary planting, as well as as a cover for fading plants that are losing their decorative properties. The perennial gypsophila flower looks great among stones and rocks.

It fits perfectly with most garden plants. Marigolds, godetia, eschscholzia, etc. grow well next to it. Surrounded by pink gypsophila flowers, snow-white roses or bright yellow lilies look great.

But most often gypsophila is grown for cutting. It is used mainly for arranging bouquets, giving any of them an airy lightness with its delicate openwork branches. But it also looks great in a bouquet on its own.

When placed in a vase, gypsophila sprigs with fully opened flowers dry out, preserving their beauty for a long time.

Many landscape designers say: “If you want to get a delicate cloud of flowers, plant Gypsophila on your site!” Indeed it is amazing plant with its snow-white or pink small flowers gives flower bed airiness, weightlessness.

Gypsophila is grown both as an annual and perennial. As a rule, gardeners prefer a perennial species.

Botanical description of Gypsophila

Gypsophila belongs to herbaceous plants. The originality of the flower lies in the fact that on a branched stem with numerous narrow leaves that grow on its lower part, thousands of small flowers bloom, collected in paniculate inflorescences.

Despite its airiness, Gypsophila has a powerful root that goes deep into the ground. Often the size of the rhizome reaches up to 70 cm or more. It is thanks to such a strong root system that the plant takes root well in one place, where it grows for many years.

Common varieties of Gypsophila

• Gypsophila graceful. Highly branching annual plant, whose height does not exceed 40 cm. It has graceful leaves and small flowers of pink or white. The flowering period is short, approximately 6 weeks. After this, the bush must be pruned, then the plant may bloom again, although the flowering will not be as abundant as the previous one.
• Gypsophila paniculata. This variety is tall perennial species Gypsophila. The height of the plant can reach up to 1 m and above. What makes the plant unusual is its spreading stems, which form a kind of openwork ball at the top of the bush. Small simple or double flowers are collected in paniculate inflorescences. Blossom Paniculata Gypsophila starts at the end of summer.
• Creeping gypsophila. undersized ground cover plant. The maximum height is 15 cm. The peculiarity of this variety is that the plant spreads along the ground, forming bushes tightly adjacent to each other. The flowers are a soft pink shade. The beginning of flowering is late June-early July. Looks great on rocky surfaces and lawns.

How to grow Gypsophila with seeds at home

Gypsophila seeds can be planted either indoors or directly on the garden bed, but in this case the plant will begin to bloom only in the second year.

It is recommended to sow seeds for seedlings at home in March. By this time it is necessary to prepare the soil. This can be either purchased or pre-prepared from the garden. If the soil is purchased in a store, then it is advisable to mix it a little with garden soil, sand, chalk or lime, since Gypsophila really loves calcareous soil.

Fill containers for growing seedlings with the resulting substrate. Do not compact the soil too much, since Gypsophila loves soft, loose soil.

Before sowing the seeds, the soil is moistened. The seeds are laid out on top of the ground and lightly sprinkled with sand. Since Gypsophila seedlings do not tolerate replanting well, so as not to pick them up in the future, the seeds in the container must be distributed so that the distance between them is approximately 10 cm. The container with the seeds is covered with a transparent lid or glass.

Seedling care

Germination of Gypsophila seeds is high and fast. The first shoots appear within 2-3 days from the moment the seeds are sowed at home, but the first leaf appears only after 15-20 days. The lid or glass from the container is not immediately removed. They can be removed only when the seedlings get a little stronger.

Important! Water the seedlings as needed. The soil should not be very dry, but not soggy either.

As soon as stable warm weather has established, the strengthened seedlings can be planted in open ground.

Sowing Gypsophila seeds in open ground

Gypsophila can be grown by sowing seeds in open ground. For this purpose, a light area is selected. The soil should be loose, sandy, dry, calcareous with a rocky surface.

Seeds are planted in open ground in the second half of May. Furrows are made in the garden bed, into which the seeds are placed, slightly moistened and sprinkled with soil. If the nights are still cold, then it is advisable to cover the bed with film. The first shoots appear in about a week, and after 3 weeks the seedlings can be carefully planted, maintaining a distance between shoots of 10-15 cm.

In the fall, when the young plant gets stronger, it can be transplanted to a permanent place. It is selected depending on the variety of Gypsophila. For example, Gypsophila paniculata looks great in a flowerbed with large-flowered plants. And here Creeping Gypsophila It is better to plant on an alpine hill.

Attention! Tall species of Gypsophila need support. They can be made in the form of a slingshot or U-shaped - it all depends on the size of the plant, the degree and direction of its “collapse”.

How to prepare Gypsophila for winter

Since Gypsophila is a frost-resistant plant, it does not particularly need strong shelter from frost. Most the right way- completely cover the bush with snow.

You can cover young Gypsophila bushes with spruce branches or tree bark for insurance.