Schneeflocke White Double

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Caryophyllaceae or Caryophyllaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

Genus

Gypsophila

Species

paniculata

Description

A perennial herbaceous plant with a globular habit, characterised by abundant flowering during the summer period with a profusion of small flowers with a silky, fluffy effect that make the whole very elegant, lending scenic value to flowerbeds and planters. Easy to cultivate, it adapts well to hot summer climates, ensuring suitable watering without stagnation.

Species video

https://youtu.be/u-zVlQxFgN4

Variety description

It is a very elegant plant due to its hazy, light flowering. Its flowering branches can be used as cut flowers for flower arrangements.

Curiosities and special features

The generic term, Gypsophila, means 'chalk lover' in relation to the plant's natural habitat of calcareous soils, while the specific epithet, paniculata, refers to the characteristic inflorescence.

In the Anglo-Saxon world, it is often referred to as Baby's-breath for the soft, cloud-like sensation the plant assumes when in bloom; Gypsophila is also very popular as a cut flower with flower designers all over the world.

Origin and distribution

A species native to central-eastern Europe and central-western Asia; today it is widely distributed in many areas both as an ornamental flowerbed or pot plant and as a cutting plant for flower arrangements.

Flower size

The flower individually is small, united in a larger inflorescence.

Leaf

The leaf blade is oblong in shape.

Flowering period

Flowering lasts from late spring to late summer for between 120 and 150 days, lending an accent of elegance to your green spaces throughout the summer.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence compound umbrella.

Leaf colour

Solid-coloured leaf.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.5 to 0.9 m; suitable as a second-stage plant within compositions mixed with other ornamentals of different development.

Lifespan

Perennial plant, during the winter period it sheds its aerial part.

Where to plant

For its lush and elegant blooms, it is used in flowerbeds, outdoor tubs, planters

Stem

Herbaceous stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is pom-pom-shaped, small, with a globular corolla and plain petals. It is arranged in medium to small compound umbel inflorescences. It flowers from late spring to late summer, with a flowering period of between 120 and 150 days. It has bitter notes and is fragrant, with an intense aroma. It is attractive to bees and butterflies.

Growth

The variety develops a globular, well-proportioned growth.

Plant habit

The globular bearing allows for homogeneous monochrome groups.

Branching

Theabundant branching gives the variety added value with high flower density.

PH

The optimal soil pH for gypsophila is slightly acidic, between 6.0 and 6.5.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting in mid-spring, carry out light digging and remove any weeds and bulky pebbles. If the soil is too heavy and poorly draining, it is advisable to bury sand evenly, then continue by breaking up the coarser clods with the help of a hoe. Finally, add professional substrate about 5/10 cm to the surface, levelling it out carefully.

Sun exposure

It prefers full sun exposures for excellent flowering.

Ideal climate and temperature

The biological temperature is between 10 and 30 °C. The ideal temperature is between 15 and 25 °C. It is well adapted to hot summer climates.

Use

It is mainly used in
Outdoor ornamental purposes

Cut flower stems are also used for floral arrangements such as bouquets and centrepieces.

Hardiness

Highly rustic variety.

Soil

The soil defined as ideal for gypsophila is medium-textured or tending to sandy and above all well drained, as the plant does not tolerate clay textures and waterlogging. For use in tubs or planters, a substrate for spring plants containing peat and perlite is recommended.

Difficulty

A fairly easy variety to grow with an overall low level of management effort.

Growing tips

A useful cultivation guideline, specific to the variety, aimed at obtaining the best growth and flowering results:

Avoid over-watering Balanced fertilisation Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures

Combinations with other plants

Ideal for flower bed or planter arrangements with other ornamental species such as Gaura and Limonium (Statice) to create a colourful ensemble to which the Gipsofila gives volume and lightness at the same time.

Planting

For transplanting into beds, an average density of 10 plants per square metre is recommended in order to obtain a balanced final composition allowing each individual specimen to develop optimum growth.

It is also advisable to position the plant with the collar outside the soil surface, avoiding over-compressing the root ball and watering, without excess, immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours.

Pruning

Remove vegetation in late autumn-winter.

Propagation

It can be propagated by cuttings; many of the seedlings on the market come from micropropagation.

Watering

Carry out balanced irrigation as the gypsophila does not tolerate waterlogging. Use rainwater, or alternatively canal or aqueduct water, either manually or by means of an irrigation system. When transplanting, assist the seedling to ensure that it settles properly in its new site, keeping it at a constant humidity but without over-watering, preventing saturation conditions. Afterwards, take care to allow the soil or substrate to dry slightly between one watering and the next; it is also advisable not to water the plant directly from above but to apply water directly to the soil or pot, preferring morning hours.

Fertilising

During the spring-summer period, following proper post-transplant settling, apply a balanced liquid fertiliser specifically for ornamental plants to the substrate or soil, to be diluted in the irrigation water according to the appropriate doses and frequencies as stated on the relevant information label.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Pet safety

Toxicity to pets not known; consider case-specific.

Edibility for humans

No edible parts are known.

Toxicity for humans

Toxicity not known, avoid ingestion.

Tip

It does not tolerate excessively loamy soils, and suffers from waterlogging, where the plants easily turn yellow.