Gypsophila repens 'Rosea'
pink creeping Baby's breath
Overview
Gypsophila repens 'Rosea' is a low, mat-forming herbaceous perennial in the Caryophyllaceae family, reaching 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) tall and spreading 12-20 inches (30-50 cm) wide. Trailing, wiry stems carry small, narrow blue-green leaves and loose sprays of tiny five-petaled flowers about 0.3 inch (8 mm) across. 'Rosea' bears pink flowers, deeper than the white-to-pale-pink of the species, from late spring into summer. The mat spreads over the ground and drapes over rocks, walls, and the edges of raised beds. It grows from a deep, branching root system and tolerates poor, stony, alkaline soil and drought once established. Gypsophila repens 'Rosea' is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8 and dies back to a low crown in winter. It needs full sun and sharp drainage; wet, heavy, or acidic soil leads to crown and root rot, and shade thins the mat and reduces flowering. The trailing habit roots where stems touch moist soil, slowly widening the patch. Flowers draw bees and other small pollinators through early summer. Native to the mountains of central and southern Europe, it is grown in rock gardens, alpine troughs, wall crevices, and gravel gardens.
Native Range
Gypsophila repens is native to the mountains of central and southern Europe, where it grows on rocky slopes, screes, and alkaline gravels. 'Rosea' is a pink-flowered selection grown in gardens.Suggested Uses
Grown in rock gardens, alpine troughs, wall crevices, gravel gardens, and along the front edge of raised beds, spaced 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) apart. The trailing mat drapes over rocks and walls. It suits dry, sunny sites with sharp drainage.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 8"
Width/Spread1' - 1'8"
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Blue-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun and gritty, sharply drained, neutral to alkaline soil of low fertility. Water needs are low once established, and wet, heavy, or acidic soil causes crown and root rot. Shade thins the mat and cuts flowering. In USDA zones 3 through 8 it is fully cold hardy and dies back to a low crown in winter. Stems root where they touch moist soil, slowly widening the patch. Lean, gritty soil and full sun hold the mat dense and free-flowering.Pruning
The mat is sheared lightly after the first flush to tidy spent flowers and prompt rebloom. No other regular pruning is needed. Rooted stem pieces can be lifted in spring to start new plants.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons