Gypsophila elegans Covent Garden | Annual Baby’s Breath

Gypsophila elegans ‘Covent Garden’ | Annual Baby’s Breath

Classic white filler · Fresh & dried bouquets

Gypsophila elegans ‘Covent Garden’ is a classic, much-loved annual baby’s breath producing clouds of tiny, pure white, star-like flowers on fine, thread-like stems. Its light, airy habit makes it an indispensable filler for bouquets, arrangements, and mixed plantings.

This variety is a highly selected, large-flowered strain, valued for its uniformity and bright white colour. Fast growing and easy to cultivate, it is ideal for beginners as well as professional growers. Plants begin flowering just over 2 months after sowing and continue for several weeks, especially when succession sown.

Excellent both fresh and dried, Gypsophila ‘Covent Garden’ adds softness, volume, and movement to floral designs.

Plant Information

• Botanical name: Gypsophila elegans
• Variety: ‘Covent Garden’
• Common name: Annual Baby’s Breath
• Plant type: Hardy annual
• Height: approx. 60 cm
• Flower colour: Pure white
• Light: Full sun
• Days to maturity: 50–60 days
• Plant spacing: 20–30 cm
• Pinching: Optional (for bushier plants)

Sowing & Germination

Direct sowing recommended

• Sow directly outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked in spring
• Surface sow or broadcast onto well-prepared, finely raked soil
• Barely cover seeds with soil
• Germination: 7–18 days

Thin seedlings to 30–40 cm spacing once large enough to handle.

Optional: Can be started indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost, but plants dislike transplanting. Autumn sowing is also possible for spring germination.

Growing Instructions

• Prefers normal, well-drained soil kept slightly moist
• Do not fertilise – overly rich soil produces foliage at the expense of flowers
• Stake if needed, as plants may topple in heavy spring rains
• Succession sow every few weeks for a continuous harvest

Care & Maintenance

• Pinch growing tips to encourage bushier plants (optional)
• Cut flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming
• No deadheading required
• Plants die back after first frosts
• Will self-seed readily under suitable conditions

Uses

• Fresh cut flowers
• Dried flowers
• Wedding florals and bouquets
• Borders and mixed plantings