Annual Baby’s Breath ‘Covent Garden’
Gypsophila elegans
Description
This delightful, dainty filler adds an airy quality to bouquets. Easy to grow and great for beginners, this plant produces a profusion of tiny white flowers on floss-like stems. Great fresh or dried, this fast-growing flower will bloom in just over 2 months after sowing.
Details
Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 18 to 24 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 50 to 60 days
Plant spacing: 8 to 12 in
Pinch: not necessary
Height: 18 to 24 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 50 to 60 days
Plant spacing: 8 to 12 in
Pinch: not necessary
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
Plants dislike being transplanted, so direct-seed into the garden after all danger of frost has passed. Seeds take about 2 weeks to germinate. Succession-plant every few weeks for continual harvest. Must be staked or plants will topple in heavy spring rains.
Harvesting/Vase Life
Harvest when 60 percent of the flowers on a stem are open. If drooping, sear stem ends in boiling water for 5 to 7 seconds. Expect a vase life of 5 to 10 days.
Details
Description
This delightful, dainty filler adds an airy quality to bouquets. Easy to grow and great for beginners, this plant produces a profusion of tiny white flowers on floss-like stems. Great fresh or dried, this fast-growing flower will bloom in just over 2 months after sowing.
Details
Plant type: hardy annual
Height: 18 to 24 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 50 to 60 days
Plant spacing: 8 to 12 in
Pinch: not necessary
Height: 18 to 24 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 50 to 60 days
Plant spacing: 8 to 12 in
Pinch: not necessary
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
Plants dislike being transplanted, so direct-seed into the garden after all danger of frost has passed. Seeds take about 2 weeks to germinate. Succession-plant every few weeks for continual harvest. Must be staked or plants will topple in heavy spring rains.
Harvesting/Vase Life
Harvest when 60 percent of the flowers on a stem are open. If drooping, sear stem ends in boiling water for 5 to 7 seconds. Expect a vase life of 5 to 10 days.
Sources
How to Grow
Sources
How to Grow
Seed-Saving Mini Course
Learn how to save seed from zinnia, dahlia, and celosia
In our upcoming free, three-part video series, you’ll learn everything you need to know to save seeds on a home scale, including how plants are pollinated and isolation techniques to ensure varieties come back true, how to tell when plants are ready to pick and how to harvest the seeds, and how to properly dry, clean, and store seeds long term.
