for January, 1921 



435 



Gypsophila (Babies' Breath) 



RICHARD ROTHE 



Fi;\\ harcly garden inmates are better known and more 

 appreciated than the "'Babies' Breath'" or Gypsophia. 

 One reason for the prevailing popularity is the wide 

 latitude of usefulness of their flowers in a cut stat. The 

 graceful ])anicles of the annual GypsopJiila cicgaiis, as 

 well as the perennial species Gypsophila paniculata, seem 

 indis])ensable for mid-Summer table decorations. A few 

 sprays mixed in bouquets, centerpieces or vases take away 

 any stiffness in the forms of common every-day garden 

 flowers, ameliorating colors and, in a general way, help 

 to improve matters perceptibly. To lie without a con- 

 tinuous supply of Babies' Breath during the prolonged 

 Sweet I'ea season in fashionable northern Summer resorts 

 reflects very badly on judgment. In the eyes of most 

 emplovcrs and customers, gardeners and florists minus 



Gypsophila Ceraslioides 



de.-ired article figure as well nigh com- 

 The simple and easy way of producing 

 sowings in proper rotation leaves 



the constantly 

 plete failures, 

 the annual kinds by 

 no e.xcuse whatever. 



Gysophila paniculata, the perennial border favorite, 

 while in bloom, serves the same purpose. Here we are 

 at present facing the ever increasing demand for the 

 double flowering form and subsequent problems of its 

 propagation. Seed of G\psophila paniculata flora plena 

 when sown comes true only about 15 to 20 per cent. 

 Trying cuttings, including those of roots, the results ac- 

 cording to my experience are usually anything but satis- 



factory. 1 hear, however, of marvelous successes in 

 propagating the double form of Gypsophila paniculata in 

 California, and sincerely hope the reports may prove 

 true, for paniculata Hove pleno is a wonderful im- 

 provement. 



Less known, and by no means duly appreciated, we find 

 the dwarf growing and creeping species. All are valu- 

 able for rockgarden and drywall planting. Gypsophila 

 ortegioides, wdiite, blooms in July and August. Gypso- 

 phila rcpcns is easily grown from seed and propagated 

 by division. It is a splendid subject for dry walls and 

 extremely graceful when in array of its clouds of white 

 Ijlossoms during June and July. Rcpcns monstrosa is 

 much stronger in growth than the former, and for this 

 reason more adapted for large rockeries. Rcpcns rosea 

 bears pale pink panicles and Gypsophila Snendcrmanni 

 IS distinguished by an unusually strong rambling growth. 

 .Strikingly attractive are also the two most dwarfy species. 

 Gxpsophila ccrastioidcs is a native of Central Europe, 

 wliose white blossoms are marked by finely penciled 

 Ijrown veins, and Gypsophila transylfanica, a true little 

 Alpine, bears tinv pure white flowers during June. 





Cypsdphila Rcpeiis 



Gypsophilas require an open sunny exposure, a deep 

 loamy garden soil, and during Winter a mulching of 

 liarnyard manure or leaf-covering for protection. 



New York's Spring Flower Show 



TIIL eigluh International Flower Show in the Grand 

 Central Palace, Xew York city, opens on March the 

 14th and continues until March the 20th. The pre- 

 liminary schedule has been in the hands of the growers 

 and gardeners for some months but the final schedule, 

 which comprises all the cut flower classes, is also now- 

 available and if anyone desiring a copy has not received 

 one. a letter to lohn Young, secretary. 43 West 18th 

 street, New York city, or .\rtliur Herringlon, manager. 

 Madison, N. J., will hrmg one by return mail. 



Ii is in these smaller classes where many gardeners 

 could, if they would, make exhibits and help materially 

 to augment this part of the show and the Mower Show 



(/ommittee solicits the co-operation of the gardeners to- 

 wards this end. The more there are participating in it 

 ihc greater the interest, the wider its apjieal and the more 

 extensive its patronage. 



The plans that have been worked out for this year's 

 show are entirely different from the plans of those that 

 have preceded it. For example ; instead of the 500 sq. ft. 

 Rose groups which, by the way, the jjublic have become 

 (|uite used to, there has been ])rovided this year a class for 

 the best development of a garden covering 1,000 sq. ft. 

 l""our such spaces have been laid out in the ])lan and four 

 entries to fill such spaces have been received. Other 

 (Continued on page 442) 



