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There are flowers that, due to their size and brightness, are the soloist in the garden. In order to shade their beauty, an appropriate background is required. And here the air bushes of gypsophila are very 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 clove family. This genus is quite numerous – includes about 100 species. The natural range of the plant is wide. These are Europe, and Central Asia, and adjacent to it, Mongolia and part of China, as well as South Siberia and the North Caucasus.
This perennial plant can reach a height of 1,2 m. The stem strongly branches, turning the gypsophila into a ball consisting of narrow small leaves and a huge number of flowers collected in panicle inflorescences. They can be both simple and terry, painted in pink or white. The flowering of gypsophila paniculata lasts a month and a half from July to August. Many small seeds are formed on the bushes, 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 of gypsophila paniculata is tumbleweed.
Cultivars have been created on the basis of wild species.
- Bristol Firey. The variety has rather large double flowers of white color. Plant height from 60 to 75 cm.
- Flamingo. One of the highest – up to 120 cm, is decorated with double pink flowers.
- Pink Star. This variety has dark pink flowers. The height of the bush is about 60 cm.
- Rosie Vale. A kid among giants – does not grow above 35 cm. The flowers are white at first and turn pink over time.
- Snowflake. The bush of the correct spherical shape grows up to 50 cm. The flowers are quite large, densely doubled, 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 decorativeness of the Snowflake 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 a transplant for up to 25 years. Therefore, its habitat must be chosen thoughtfully, taking into account all the preferences of the plant. Gypsophila paniculata in nature grows where there is a lot of sunlight. She needs the same in culture. It will do best in an area that is fully lit during the day. Only in the hottest midday hours is a small lacy shade possible from tall trees and bushes growing nearby.
She has her own preferences in relation to the soil.
- Unlike the vast majority of garden plants, Snezhinka gypsophila does not need much moisture. Suitable dry and light-textured soil – 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 level of standing groundwater is low.
- In nature, gypsophila grows both on sand and on poor stony soils, but cultivars require a certain amount of soil fertility. But it should contain a little humus: no more than 2% of humus. Under the gypsophila Snowflake, fresh manure cannot be brought in, she 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 pebbles are added. In addition, for each sq. m, you need to add 50 g of potash fertilizers and humus, its amount is determined by the fertility of the soil, but not more than a bucket.
When planting in the soil, they dig a hole, at the bottom of which drainage is placed. It is necessary to plant the gypsophila Snowflake so that the root neck is at the level of the soil. Watering after planting is required.
If you plan to plant several plants, then between them you need to provide a distance of 70 cm, and between rows – at least 1,3 m. Over time, the bushes will grow. Snezhinka reaches full decorative effect of gypsophila in the third year.
The tap root 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 needs to be taken care of.
- Freshly planted plants need regular watering. In the future, gypsophila is watered only during a long dry period or in extreme heat. Watering is needed plentiful to wet the entire layer, which extends the roots of the plant.
- This plant needs to be fertilized 1-2 times a month. Make it a solution of complex mineral fertilizer. Enough 10 g of the mixture per bucket of water. Pre-watering is required. Water the gypsophila Snowflake only under the root.
- This flower loves potassium, so feeding with ashes will appeal to him. They are especially needed at the time of flowering.
- In order for the bush to maintain a beautiful spherical shape and not to collapse, it is necessary to provide a support to which it should be tied.
- If dried inflorescences are removed, the flowering of the Snowflake gypsophila can be extended until autumn.
Features of care in the fall
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 the spring, humus will give the plant additional nutrition.
Reproduction
Gypsophila Snezhinka seeds are sold by many seed companies and online stores: Poisk, Aelita and NGO Gardens of Our Country. Therefore, with the acquisition of their problems will not arise.
To grow gypsophila Snezhinka from seeds, they can be sown in autumn in October on a specially prepared breeding bed. Between rows should be about 20 cm, seeds are rarely sown, so as not to thin out later. Sowing depth – 2 cm. For the winter, the bed is mulched with dry foliage. Remove mulch in spring. The grown seedlings are moved to a permanent place.
Gypsophila Snezhinka is sown for seedlings in March. Loose soil is poured into a container with a good drainage layer. Seeds are only lightly sprinkled with soil. Place the container in a bright warm place, putting a plastic bag on it. After the emergence of seedlings, the package is removed. Seedlings need picking in phase 2 or 3 true leaves.
Each seedling will need a separate pot. With the onset of warm weather, the pots are taken out into the street. In autumn, grown plants are planted in a flower garden in a permanent place.
Most often, gypsophila Snezhinka is propagated by cuttings. How to cut?
- Cuttings are cut 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.
- They are planted in a stalk with a loose substrate, to which a little chalk is added. The soil should be moist, but not waterlogged.
- Planting depth – 2 cm. The cutting should be planted obliquely.
- The cuttings are covered with a film, which is sometimes slightly opened 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, and it happens after 3 weeks, the film must be removed.
- The grown seedlings are planted in a permanent place in the fall.
The following method of propagation of gypsophila Snowflake is suitable for those flower growers who are familiar with the grafting technique. It is carried out in the spring with a cutting taken from the gypsophila Snezhinka, in a split on the rhizome of non-double varieties.
Place of gypsophila in garden design
Gypsophila Snowflake is a wonderful background for plants blooming with bright and large flowers. Especially good in a frame of delicate white rose flowers. And the plant itself is so spectacular that it can be a tapeworm and look great in a single planting against the background of conifers or a lawn. It is also appropriate as a border, on a rocky hill, in a mixborder. Gypsophila Snezhinka is very fond of florists – she is a classic companion for decorating bouquets of roses and other large-flowered plants.
Place this charming plant in your flower garden. Caring for him does not take much time and effort. This beauty every season will delight with an airy cloud of flowers and a delicate aroma.