| Gypsophila repens | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Caryophyllaceae |
| Genus: | Gypsophila |
| Species: | G. repens |
| Binomial name | |
| Gypsophila repens | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
Gypsophila repens, the alpine gypsophila [2] or creeping baby's breath, [3] is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae, native to the mountains of central and southern Europe, where it grows on dry, chalky slopes. [4] The Latin name literally means "creeping chalk-lover". [5] It is a prostrate, mat-forming herbaceous perennial, growing around 20 cm (8 in) tall by 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide. For much of the summer it bears masses of star-shaped flowers which may be white, lilac or light purple, in loose panicles. [6] [4]
In cultivation this plant is often grown in rock gardens or against dry stone walls. Like its relative G. paniculata , it is also used as a cut flower. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [7] [8]
