Gypsophila pan. 'White Festival'

Overview and Features

Gypsophila paniculata 'White Festival', commonly known as baby’s breath, is a compact, long-flowering perennial prized for its cloud-like clusters of pure white blooms and its versatility in borders and floral arrangements. A dwarf cultivar of the classic Gypsophila paniculata, ‘White Festival’ is ideal for smaller spaces, containers, and front-of-border planting, offering the same airy elegance in a more manageable form.

This variety forms a neat, bushy mound covered in hundreds of tiny white, semi-double flowers that appear from late spring through summer, creating a soft, romantic effect. It is highly sought after for cut flower gardens, cottage-style plantings, and rockeries, and is a favourite for florists due to its long vase life.

• Height: 30–40 cm

• Spread: 30–40 cm

• Flowers: Semi-double pure white, airy and profuse

• Foliage: Narrow, grey-green linear leaves

• Flowering period: May to August (longer with deadheading)

• Type: Herbaceous perennial

• Habit: Compact, mounding

• Hardiness: RHS H6 (down to -20°C)

• Uses: Borders, rockeries, containers, cut flowers

• Pollinators: Attracts bees and hoverflies

• Awarded: Often selected for bedding and border use due to size and reliability

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Ideal Growing Conditions

Gypsophila 'White Festival' thrives in sunny, free-draining locations and is exceptionally tolerant of dry, chalky soils, making it well-suited for a range of low-maintenance and drought-tolerant gardens.

Light Requirements

• Requires full sun (at least 6–8 hours daily)

• Will not flower well in shade or heavy, damp soils

Soil Preferences

• Prefers light, alkaline to neutral soil

• Performs best in well-drained, sandy or loamy soil

• Tolerates chalky or poor soils, but not heavy clay or wet areas

• Avoid acidic soils unless adjusted with lime

Planting Tips

• Plant in spring or early autumn

• Space plants 30–40 cm apart to allow good airflow and prevent rot

• Dig in horticultural grit or sand if soil is heavy

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Watering, Feeding, and Seasonal Care

Watering

• Water regularly after planting until established

• Once established, drought-tolerant and needs only occasional watering

• Avoid overwatering—this plant dislikes soggy roots

Feeding

• Fertilise lightly in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser

• Avoid excessive feeding, which can encourage weak growth

Deadheading and Pruning

• Deadhead regularly to promote extended blooming

• Cut back faded stems after flowering to encourage a second flush

• In late autumn, cut back to base once the plant dies down naturally

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Winter Care and Longevity

• Fully hardy in the UK and Ireland

• No need for winter protection unless in very exposed locations

• Mulch lightly in late autumn if desired, but avoid crown rot by keeping mulch away from stems

• Long-lived once established; can remain in place for several years

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Design Ideas and Plant Combinations

‘White Festival’ is ideal for sunny borders, rock gardens, and container displays, offering a softening contrast to bolder textures or vibrant colours.

Best Uses

• Cottage gardens and wildlife-friendly borders

• Alpine and Mediterranean-style beds

• Containers and patio pots

• Cut flower beds (excellent filler for bouquets)

Companion Plants

Pairs well with:

• Lavender, Nepeta, Salvia, Scabiosa, and Dianthus

• Coreopsis, Achillea, Eryngium, and Gaura

• Roses (especially climbing or shrub forms for underplanting)

• Ornamental grasses like Stipa tenuissima for textural contrast

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Highlights and Advantages

• Compact and tidy—perfect for smaller gardens or pots

• Extended flowering season with minimal care

• Excellent cut flower with long vase life

• Low maintenance and drought-tolerant

• Attracts pollinators and enhances biodiversity

• Great for dry borders or alkaline soils

Standard Delivery per parcel*	€7.95
* parcels up to 30kg or within dimensions volume
* free delivery over €250 on standard items (excludes large/bulky items)
* multiple purchases qualify for combined delivery
For large items please ring us on 069-64084 to discuss delivery.

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

 

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If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.