Plant of the Month for November 2018

Gypsophila cerastoides

General Description:

Common called dwarf baby's-breath, this Asian species hails from mountainous regions of the Himalayas from northern Pakistan, through northern India, Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan at elevations of 2800-4000m.  It forms a low tufted or mounding plant 10-20 cm tall and up to 60 cm wide.  The paired, somewhat shiny leaves are rounded and evergreen in mild climates.  The flowers are produced in open clusters on short stems.  Individual flowers are white with central reddish-pink veins. The flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies.

Cultivation:

This species prefers full sun (in the north) to part shade (in the south) and well-drained but humus-rich soil.  It is reasonably drought-tolerant. It is hardy from zones 4-8.

Blooming Season:

Flowering season ranges from May in the south to July in the north.

Propagation:

Seed, division or cuttings

Division:

Large clumps may be divided in early spring or after blooming.

Seeds:

This is perhaps the easiest method of propagation.  Seeds may be directly sown at 20 C with germination generally within a ferw weeks.

Cuttings:

Non-flowering shoots may be taken in mid-summer and generally root within a few weeks.

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