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
Winter Mini Course: Seed-Starting 101
Learn how to start flowers from seed in this three-part video series
In our upcoming Winter Mini Course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to successfully start flowers from seed, including all of the necessary supplies, step-by-step instructions, special tips and tricks, and how to create a simple indoor seed-starting area.
