Gypsophila: the plaster flower

Native to Asia and belonging to the Caryophyllaceae family, Gypsophila is a very heat resistant plant, so much so that it prefers full sun to spread. This specimen has an erect and bushy habit, and is also available in Europe. Depending on the variety, it resists winter frost, while in the case of the annual type it grows rapidly if sown outdoors in April and then blooms from June onwards. Perennial forms, on the other hand, are plants with deep and long-lived roots that need a lot of sun and a lot of space to spread. Depending on the species, the flowers are white, pastel pink or red and have lanceolate and thin leaves of a silvery green color, so it is a plant with an indisputable ornamental appearance. Gypsophila makes a good border filler and is also suitable for mixed flower beds, pots and containers. However, there are many gardeners who prefer to grow it in rock gardens or on gravel.

Cultivation methods

Gypsophila can be grown with both exposed and sheltered east, west or south exposure. The ideal is to sow it on well-drained and non-acidic soils, and to prevent root rot from occurring, the soil should be optimized by opting, for example, for chopped peat or gravel. From this it is clear that the waterings must be regular and periodically enriched with a liquid fertilizer of the standard type as it is ideal to help it grow healthy and luxuriant. To maximize the result, it should also be added that it is advisable to prune in late autumn by cutting the stems after flowering, so that the next one is even more dense.

Diseases and treatments

With regard to diseases, it must be immediately said that Gypsophila in this sense is at zero risk; in fact, the only real care is to limit stem rot, thus avoiding that the soil remains excessively wet after watering. In rainy periods, however, it is preferable to sprinkle dry leaves on the cultivation surface in order to optimize drainage. The possible presence of aphids can be remedied by opting for non-chemical pesticides that can be found in nurseries or on the best online sales stores.

Curiosity

Available as an annual, perennial and rock garden plant, Gypsophila represents the optimum in terms of cultivation. The first type (Gypsophila elegans) is in fact excellent for marking a border, as it produces a delicate mass of tiny blooms and foliage from the beginning of summer. As for the second variety (Gypsophila paniculata), it must be said that it is a popular perennial plant that can also be used to delimit the boundaries of a verdant context, and is much loved for its enchanting floating clouds composed of tiny flowers present throughout. the summer.