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There are flowers that, due to their size and brightness, stand out in the garden. In order to highlight their beauty, an appropriate background is required. And here the airy gypsophila bushes come in handy. The Snezhinka variety is especially good. Tiny double snow-white flowers, similar to roses, completely cover the bush, contrasting with the green foliage.
Biological description
Gypsophila paniculata or gypsophila paniculata belongs to the genus Kichim of the carnation family. This genus is quite numerous - it includes about 100 species. The natural range of the plant is wide. This includes Europe, Central Asia, and those adjacent to it, Mongolia and part of China, as well as Southern Siberia and the Northern Caucasus.
This perennial plant can reach a height of 1.2 m. The stem branches strongly, turning gypsophila into a ball consisting of narrow small leaves and a huge number of flowers collected in panicle inflorescences. They can be either simple or terry, painted pink or white. Gypsophila paniculata blooms for a month and a half from July to August. The bushes produce many small seeds enclosed in a fruit-box. Their shelf life is short - only 2-3 years. The plant in the wild reproduces by self-sowing.At the same time, the dried bush breaks away from the central stem and rolls, driven by the wind, scattering seeds along the road. No wonder the second name for gypsophila paniculata is tumbleweed.
Cultivated varieties have been created from wild species.
- Bristol Fire. The variety has fairly large double white flowers. Plant height is from 60 to 75 cm.
- Flamingo. One of the tallest - up to 120 cm, decorated with double pink flowers.
- Pink Star. The flowers of this variety are dark pink in color. The height of the bush is about 60 cm.
- Rosie Vale. A baby among giants - it does not grow higher than 35 cm. The flowers are initially white and turn pink over time.
- Snowflake. The bush has a regular spherical shape and grows up to 50 cm. The flowers are quite large, densely double, snow-white.
Let's talk about the last variety in more detail.
Features of care
This flower is unpretentious, but with proper cultivation, planting and care, the decorative effect of Snowflake's gypsophila will be maximum. What does she love?
Place and soil
Gypsophila paniculata Snowflake is a long-liver. With proper care, it can grow in one place without transplanting for up to 25 years. Therefore, its habitat must be chosen carefully, taking into account all the preferences of the plant. Gypsophila paniculata grows in nature where there is a lot of sunlight. She needs the same in culture. She will do best in an area that is fully lit during the day. Only in the hottest midday hours is a small lacy shadow from tall trees and bushes growing nearby possible.
She also has her own preferences regarding soil.
- Unlike the vast majority of garden plants, Snowflake's gypsophila does not need a lot of moisture. Suitable soil that is dry and light in mechanical composition is loam or sandy loam.This plant does not tolerate stagnant moisture at all. The site should not be flooded in spring or during rain, and the groundwater level should be low.
- In nature, gypsophila grows both on sand and on poor rocky soils, but cultivated varieties require a certain soil fertility. But it should contain little humus: no more than 2% humus. Fresh manure cannot be applied to Snowflake's gypsophila; it does not tolerate it.
- This flower does not tolerate acidic soils at all. It requires an acidity of 6.3 to 6.7.
Soil preparation and planting
Before planting bushes, you need to prepare the soil. The main condition for successful flower growth is good drainage. It is settled directly in the hole before planting from small pebbles or pieces of brick. But on heavy soils this is not enough. To increase their moisture permeability when digging, sand and small stones are added. In addition, for every sq. m you need to add 50 g of potassium fertilizers and humus, its amount is determined by the fertility of the soil, but no more than a bucket.
When planting, dig a hole in the soil and place drainage at the bottom. Gypsophila Snowflake should be planted so that the root collar is at soil level. Watering after planting is required.
If you plan to plant several plants, then you need to provide a distance of 70 cm between them, and at least 1.3 m between the rows. Over time, the bushes will grow. Gypsophila Snowflake reaches full decorativeness in the third year.
The taproot is difficult to dig out completely, and if it is damaged, the plant may die.
Further care
Gypsophila Snowflake is an unpretentious plant. But it still requires care.
- Newly planted plants need regular watering. In the future, gypsophila is watered only during a long dry period or in extreme heat. Watering is necessary abundantly in order to wet the entire layer over which the roots of the plant extend.
- This plant requires feeding 1-2 times a month. It is made with a solution of complex mineral fertilizer. 10 g of mixture per bucket of water is enough. Pre-watering is required. Water gypsophila Snowflake only at the root.
- This flower loves potassium, so it will like feeding with ash. They are especially needed during flowering time.
- In order for the bush to maintain a beautiful spherical shape and not fall over, you need to provide a support to which to tie it.
- If you remove dried inflorescences, the flowering of Snowflake's gypsophila can be extended until autumn.
Features of care in autumn
After drying, the bush is cut at a height of about 7 cm, leaving 3 or 4 stems. Gypsophila paniculata is a frost-resistant plant. But in case of a snowless, frosty winter, it is better to mulch it with dry leaves or humus. The latter is preferable. In spring, humus will provide the plant with additional nutrition.
Reproduction
Many seed companies and online stores sell gypsophila seeds Snezhinka: Search, Aelita and NPO Gardens of Russia. Therefore, there will be no problems purchasing them.
To grow gypsophila Snowflake from seeds, they can be sown in the fall in October on a specially prepared growing bed. There should be about 20 cm between the rows; the seeds are sown rarely, so as not to thin out later. Sowing depth is 2 cm. In winter, the bed is mulched with dry leaves. In spring the mulch is removed. Grown seedlings are moved to a permanent place.
Snowflake gypsophila seedlings are sown in March. Loose soil is poured into a container with a good drainage layer. The seeds are only lightly sprinkled with soil. Place the container in a bright, warm place, putting a plastic bag on it. After germination, the package is removed. Seedlings need picking at the stage of 2 or 3 true leaves.
Each seedling will require a separate pot. With the onset of warm weather, the pots are taken outside. In the fall, the grown plants are planted in a permanent place in the flower garden.
Most often, Snowflake gypsophila is propagated by cuttings. How to take cuttings?
- Cuttings are taken in May or June from non-flowering shoots. Cut off the top of the stem 5 cm long.
- Treat the cut with a root formation stimulator.
- Planted in a cuttings with a loose substrate to which a little chalk has been added. The soil should be moist, but not waterlogged.
- Planting depth - 2 cm. The cuttings should be planted obliquely.
- The cuttings are covered with a film, which is sometimes opened slightly for ventilation.
- The temperature for rooting is about 20 degrees, the air humidity is high, the light is bright, diffused, without direct sunlight.
- As soon as the cuttings take root, which happens after 3 weeks, the film needs to be removed.
- Grown seedlings are planted in a permanent place in the fall.
The following method of propagating gypsophila Snowflake is suitable for those gardeners who are familiar with the grafting technique. It is carried out in the spring with a cutting taken from gypsophila Snezhinka, in a split on the rhizome of non-double varieties.
The place of gypsophila in garden design
Gypsophila Snowflake is a wonderful background for plants that bloom with bright and large flowers. They are especially beautiful when framed with delicate white rose flowers. And the plant itself is so impressive that it can be a tapeworm and look great when planted alone against the background of conifers or a lawn. It is also appropriate as a border, on a rocky hill, or in a mixborder. Florists love Gypsophila Snowflake - it is a classic companion for arranging bouquets of roses and other large-flowered plants.
Place this charming plant in your flower garden. Caring for it does not take much effort and time. This beauty will delight you every season with an airy cloud of flowers and a delicate aroma.
Hello! This year I sowed the seeds of perennial gypsophila “snowflake”, it bloomed, but for some reason it does not bloom as double as they say everywhere. but simple flowers. Why?
Hello Irina! Terry gypsophila is propagated at home by cuttings. If you sowed your own seeds, it is not surprising that the plants produced simple flowers. Although some specimens still had to retain their terry nature. If you bought the seeds, the manufacturer is to blame.
Cutting gypsophila is a difficult task, only experienced gardeners can do it. But even they have a small number of plants that survive. It is better to buy seeds from a trusted manufacturer. You can take several bags of different brands, sow them and see where the gypsophila matches the declared variety.
It is almost impossible to obtain double flowers from your own seeds.
Thanks for the info. And I bought the seeds, it’s a shame that they are all simple and not a single terry one.