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The Annual Garden: Gypsophila

Gypsophila, Baby's Breath. Gypsophila seed is best sown where it is to bloom as it transplants poorly. It makes a lovely background for other annuals, combining well with pink snapdragon, balsam, larkspur and poppies. It is excellent for table decoration, its dainty white blooms mixing well with all flowers. Unfortunately its blooming season is short and to obtain a succession it is necessary to sow at intervals of two weeks until the first sowing comes into bloom, the flowers from which, if allowed to go to seed, will seed themselves and thus keep up a more or less continuous bloom. Gypsophila does best in light, dry soils and full sun.

Varieties. Elegans Alba Grandiflora, white. Elegans Delicate Pink, pale pink. Helichrysum, Straw Flower. Helichrysum is chiefly grown for use in winter as a cut flower, lasting all winter indoors in vases containing no water. The seed may be sown directly in the garden and thinned so that each plant will stand one foot apart. They require no special attention and are stiff, old-fashioned looking flowers. To keep all winter the flowers must be cut before frost and hung head down in a dark place until they are thoroughly dried out. [30] Varieties. The varieties come in shades of rose, crimson, deep yellow, purple and white.