Gypsophila elegans 'Pink' Seeds

Gypsophila elegans, or Annual Baby's Breath, is a Hardy Annual (H3). Unlike the perennial creeping varieties, this plant is built for speed and immense flower power, completing its entire life cycle in a single UK summer season.

The Speed Specialist: This is one of the fastest flowers you can grow from seed. In a favourable British spring, it can go from sowing to a full cloud of pink blooms in as little as 8 to 10 weeks. This makes it an ideal "quick fix" for filling gaps in the border or for children's gardens.

Pollinator Magnet: Despite the tiny size of the individual flowers, they are produced in such vast quantities that they become a major draw for beneficial insects. They are particularly attractive to hoverflies and small solitary bees, making them a high-value addition to any wildlife-friendly garden.

Gypsophila is a "scatter and grow" plant that performs best when its sensitive roots are left undisturbed.

How to Sow:
Sow directly outdoors from March to May, or in September for earlier flowers the following spring. Scatter the seeds thinly onto a finely raked surface and cover very lightly with soil. Germination is rapid, usually occurring within 10-14 days.

Where to Plant:
They demand full sun to prevent them from becoming floppy and sparse. They thrive in most well-drained soils but have a legendary love for alkaline (chalky) conditions. If your soil is naturally acidic, adding a small amount of garden lime to the area before sowing will significantly improve their performance.

Ongoing Care:
Because they flower so profusely, annual Gypsophila can "burn out" after 4-5 weeks. For a continuous supply of pink clouds, use succession sowing—sow a small pinch of seeds every 2-3 weeks until June. In windy UK gardens, placing a few twiggy birch sticks among the plants will provide discreet, natural support for their delicate stems.

The soft pink mist of Gypsophila looks espectacular when paired with contrasting blues or clean whites from our collection:

• 🔵 Cornflower 'Blue Ball': The Pastel Mix. The electric blue of the Cornflower makes the soft rose-pink of the Gypsophila look incredibly sophisticated. This is a classic, romantic cottage garden colour palette that works perfectly in drifts.
• ☁️ Cosmos 'Purity': White & Pink. The large, clean white saucers of Cosmos look stunning rising out of a misty cloud of pink Gypsophila. Both are airy, move beautifully in the wind, and love the same sunny conditions.

Sow in spring for a rapid cloud of pink from June through to late summer.