Chris's Weblog – City Chickens

My diary from 2006

Tag Archive: Gypsophila

Chris's Weblog - City Chickens > Gypsophila

Gypsophilia Paniculata Bristol Fairy

April 29, 2024 Garden , ,

I am trying again with Gyp. A favourite of mine and a reminder of my moms garden when I was a child. I have grown from a root and raised from seed before but it seems that nothing lasts forever so my garden is at present bereft of Baby’s Breath.

Gracy says:
“Gypsophila ‘Bristol Fairy’ is a double flowered version of Baby’s Breath that will flourish in your garden provided you ensure she gets full sun, well-drained, alkaline soil and is watered well during the flowering season.”

I potted this bare root up last night and have moved to a sheltered spot in the garden this morning. (30th April 2024) I was running out of space in my small computer room. After reading the following quote I think I may start grinding the egg shells up and feeding them to Gyp. You need to bake them in the oven first then grind them finely in a pestle and mortar. I used to do this to mix with the chicken food when I had lots of chickens. Only two old girls left now in the eglu so I got out of the habit.

The genus name Gypsophila is derived from the Greek words gypsos meaning gypsum and philios meaning love, a nod to the plant’s preference for high calcium soil. quote from Gracy.

Gypsophila Cerastioides – Alpine

May 3, 2017 Garden, Pond , ,

Gypsophila cerastioides is native to the rocky slopes of the eastern Himalayas and forms an attractive tuft with shiny green foliage and pink-veined white trumpet flowers. Also known as Alpine Baby’s Breath this rock garden plant likes the sun and light, well-drained soil. Can also be grown in troughs. A hardy perennial, this small type of Gypsophila is drought tolerant, tough and produces endless supplies of white flowers, which are loved by butterflies. The Mouse Eared Gypsophila is good for alpine gardens, rockeries, patio containers, troughs or for growing in gaps in walls and paving. The tufted, mounding plants produce flowers from spring to summer. It seems like an ideal plant for around the pond one day.

Gypsophila Paniculata Covent Garden – Higgledy Seed

January 26, 2017 Garden , , , , ,

Sow Gypsophila seeds on the surface of the compost in spring. Make sure that the compost is moist but not wet and seal in a polythene bag until after germination which usually takes ten to twenty one days. Do not exclude light which is beneficial to germination. Transplant when large enough to handle and grow on in cooler conditions. Later plant out in a sheltered spot. Plant out at about a foot apart. They may need staking against the wind if in an exposed position.

I have tried to grow these beautiful, herbaceous perennials before without success. This will be my year with them. These seedlings grow a deep tap root so need starting in a deep pot. They prefer not to be disturbed though. In March I may sow some seeds directly into the white border.

26th January 2017 about thirty tiny seeds sprinkled onto moist compost in a pint pot and enclosed in a polythene bag. All my seed pots are in the computer room and I try to keep the light on during these short Winter days. It is -4 outside this morning. 30th January and it looks like 100% germination already after only 4 days. I have taken them out of the polythene bag and moved them to the window ledge for light,

Well done Higgledy, 1000 seeds for £1.95 and 100% germination. I can’t wait for them to mature. Twelve weeks from germination I believe.