Human Flower Project
Snowflake On A Stem
By on February 28th, 2022 in
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Snowflake on a Stem
Breathe easy. Gypsophila blooms, botany’s snowflakes, last a whole lot longer.
Celestial Baby’s Breath
Snowflake photo:
via Dan and Lynn Wolaver
We’d thought of it as filler, the floral equivalent of face powder, until about ten years ago when we added baby’s breath (gypsophila) to the garden. It thrived in the limey soil of Central Kentucky, growing nearly three feet high into an airy mound. From a distance it adds a smoky halo. Up close, its own flowers are crisp and strong as snowflakes.
The soil is limey here in Austin, too, so we may give it try, though we’re not sure how gypsophila will handle Texas heat. This how-to site warns of its “petering out when temperatures regularly hit 80 degrees.” That happens pretty regularly, and pretty early in the year. Is there time for babies to breathe here before Old Man Summer asphyxiates us all?
Terrestrial snowflakes: Gypsophila
Photo: Univ. of New Hampshire,
Cooperative Extension
Baby’s breath doesn’t first come to mind as a garden plant, but as a florist’s accessory. From browsing through a couple of discussion groups, we gather that many florists despise gypsophila (something about its smell in large quantities and, perhaps, association with over-stuffed, dowdy arrangements of yore), but they’re quick to add, “My customers always ask for it” so baby’s breath it will be.
Note: Those who like the lace-doily effect that it brings to red roses for Valentine’s Day should expect to pay extra. What you and I consider “filler flower” costs florists money (one source says a bucket of gypsophila retails for $30; that’s no sack of ice!).
Also like face powder, baby’s breath is adept at drying. Paniculata is the favorite single blossom cultivar for dried bunches; Perfecta and Bristol Fairy are popular double varieties.
Gypsophila harvest in Badsey, England
Photo: Courtesy of Chris Smith, via Badsey.net
For our readers in icy climes, warm up with this photograph of summer “snowflakes,” a harvest of gypsophila near the Village of Badsey in Worcestershire, England. “The gypsophila was being picked at ‘The Sands.’ Left to right are Mr George Moisey, Mrs G Bowley, Mrs George Moisey, Mrs Keyte, Mrs Emma Smith, and (probably) Miss Moisey.”
To our readers in the steamy Southern Hemisphere, may these snowflakes bring six-sided refreshment.
Cut-Flower Trade • Florists • Gardening & Landscape • Permalink