Gypsophila, an attractive flowering shrub with silver-gray stems and small flowers, first gained popularity around 150 years ago in Britain. Then this flower remained underestimated by florists for a long time - and only in recent years the gypsophila plant has become a full-fledged, independent element of touching bouquets.
Today in flower shops you can buy gypsophila in ivory, pink, purple, even orange, because this plant can be easily and efficiently painted in a variety of colors. But the most popular remains the authentic white gypsophila, magical and touching both in life and in the photo.
Description of gypsophila
Gypsophila is a whole genus of plants of the carnation family with a thin, brittle stem and an abundance of small light flowers. Translated, “gypsophila” means “lime lover,” and this is very apt: she likes mountain climates and calcareous soils.
In total, there are about 150 species of flowering shrubs, and most of them can be found in the mountainous regions of China, southern Europe, and the steppes of Mongolia and Kazakhstan.
The meaning of gypsophila in the language of flowers
If you don’t know what bouquet to give to a new friend, take gypsophila. The meaning of flowers is as broad and positive as possible: usually these “snowflakes” symbolize sincerity, sincerity, kindness and purity of thoughts.
In the UK, gypsophila is called “baby’s breath,” which also emphasizes the purity and lightness of these flowering branches.
True, in the eastern regions there is another name - “tumbleweed”, and the flowers themselves on light thin stems in a bouquet have a different meaning: frivolity, light flirting, play.
In European countries, on the contrary, gypsophila is one of the symbols of the Virgin Mary: it is considered a symbol of purity, innocence, and also immortality: after all, this flower is incredibly resistant to any weather conditions, tolerates drying well and, as a dried flower, retains its shape for years.
Popular types and varieties: descriptions
Most species please gardeners: they are used extremely rarely for cutting. Hybrids of paniculate gypsophila are of the greatest importance in floristry, but in order to achieve the desired effect, they have to be painted: its natural shade is white.
Paniculata
Forms bushes up to 1 meter high with very fluffy inflorescences. It can be white or slightly pinkish - and is very actively used in floristry.
Flamingo
A popular hybrid variety with neat, perfectly round soft pink flowers.
Snowflake
Also a hybrid of paniculate gypsophila with terry, very lush clusters of “pearls”.
Creeping
It is a low-growing bush with small pointed leaves and white or bright pink flowers, reminiscent of forget-me-nots in shape.
Graceful
A low spherical bush with small white flowers - not as spectacular as double ones, but very delicate and graphic.
What colors are gypsophila in a bouquet, their meanings depending on the shade
White:
Lightness, purity and joy. They are found not only in mono compositions, but also in combination with delicate roses or carnations. This creates a bright, touching bouquet that can be given to a mother, a friend, a child, or a girlfriend.
Blue:
Shades of blue in floristry speak of courage, courage and warm friendly feelings, so mono-bouquets of sky-blue gypsophila are appropriate to give to friends - for a birthday or in honor of a major personal achievement (for example, a promotion at work).
Purple:
This mysterious shade in floristry suggests that everything is not completely clear between you: a spark flashed, but much was left unsaid and unclear. An excellent choice for one of your first romantic dates.
Pink:
Feminine bouquets with a beautiful pink gradient are suitable for young, dreamy girls. Often such compositions in boxes or bags are chosen as a gift for a daughter for graduating from school, entering a university, or just for her birthday.
Pastel:
Nowadays, compositions painted in soft blue, lilac, and light green shades are very popular. It's a little more elegant than the standard rainbow, and a little more touching. Nowadays, compositions painted in soft blue, lilac, and light green shades are very popular. It's a little more elegant than the standard rainbow, and a little more touching.
Rainbow:
Rainbow in floristry is a multi-valued symbol of freedom, trust, fulfillment of an impossible dream, miracle, boundless joy. Rainbow bouquets are given to romantic people as a sign that a cloudless, happy future awaits them, in which nothing is impossible.
Who do they give gypsophila to? The most relevant reasons
This is an absolutely universal flower that can be given to literally anyone - men, women, children, friends and colleagues.
Birthday
An excellent choice to wish joy, fun, fulfillment of your wildest desires and dreams. Choose bright bouquets in stylish minimalist packaging.
Discharging from maternity hospital
A touching, fluffy bouquet as a gift for a new mother is very convenient, since gypsophila does not have a strong, irritating aroma.
Wedding
Do you want to give a touching and appropriate gift to the bride? Choose a cloud of gypsophila in a hat box or elegant handbag.
Start and end of studies
Gypsophila is an excellent flower to congratulate a young relative, friend or girlfriend on graduating from school, passing exams, entering a university or defending a graduation project.
Wedding/dating anniversary
Bouquets of pink and lilac branches are romantic, but not cloying, so they are suitable to give to your loved one on any memorable date of your couple.
Gypsophila in wedding bouquets
In Europe, this flower is often chosen to decorate wedding halls and create a bridal bouquet (its positive symbolism and a reference to the purity and purity of the Madonna help here).
Stars such as singer and daughter of jewelry magnate Victoria Swarovski, actresses Elena Letuchaya and Daria Legeyda chose gypsophila as the basis of their wedding bouquet.
The most modest, laconic and in every sense easy solution for a bride’s bouquet is a mono-bouquet of white “pearls” in the shape of a perfect ball. However, bolder solutions are also acceptable.
How to care for gypsophila in a bouquet?
First of all, you should decide whether you are going to dry your bouquet or keep it in a vase with water, like ordinary flowers. In the first case, it makes sense to immediately find a wide container for the bouquet so that the branches are located in it freely, and pour just a little settled water into it - literally cover the bottom by 3-4 cm.
You only need to add water to the vase once every 2-3 days, and keep the bouquet in a dry, fairly warm, well-ventilated place. Another option is to immediately divide the bouquet into bunches and hang them in a dark place (for example, in a closet).
If you want to admire gypsophila in a living bouquet, you can take a narrower vase for it, fill it with standing water to about half, and trim the stems by 1 cm at an oblique angle, like any other living flowers. It must be remembered that gypsophila absorbs moisture very greedily, so it is worth adding water to it every day. You can even give the bouquet a small shower with cool water, but not from a shower, but from a watering can with small holes.
A bouquet placed in water should be protected from direct sunlight and sources of active heat (for example, a battery). Flowers will last in a vase for up to 1 month.
Interesting facts about gypsophila
For the first time, gypsophila sprigs became popular in floristry in Great Britain, during the Victorian era.
In the second half of the 20th century, this charming flower was used only as an addition to large buds of roses or chrysanthemums: they covered empty space in inexpensive bouquets - so now florists have to prove that this shrub is worthy of more.
According to some versions, saponins (substances this plant contains) help cure cancer.
Gypsophila is edible! It is used in the preparation of dessert hard cheeses and some types of dessert halva.
In many European countries, this is a typical Christmas flower: along with mistletoe, they decorate the house on the eve of the winter holidays, and the branches are attached to the green legs of the New Year tree.
Answers on questions
What is the real color of gypsophila?
The most common flowers found in nature are white, pale pink or lilac. But even pink or lilac ones are tinted a little to make the shade brighter and more expressive.
Why are gypsophila colored?
This plant tolerates painting well with special floral paints. The trend of the last few years has been to color gypsophila clouds in shades of blue, pink or all the colors of the rainbow.
How long does it take for gypsophila to wither?
This is a very hardy species that will become a dried flower rather than wilt. The bouquet can stand in water for 2 weeks, after which you should decide to dry it - and if you want to keep it for a long time, just move it from water to a dry vase.
Do I need to put gypsophila in water?
Depends on your plans for this composition. You can immediately place the bouquet in a dry vase: this plant tolerates vertical drying well.
What are the benefits of gypsophila?
Firstly, it is a very delicate flower, from which the most airy, touching and romantic compositions are obtained. Secondly, it is universal: it will please your mother, girlfriend, wife, and old acquaintance. Finally, this is a completely hypoallergenic plant that can be safely given even to those who suffer from allergies to pollen from roses and other flowers.
How many gypsophila branches do you need in a bouquet?
To make the bouquet truly spectacular, it is recommended to choose from 5 branches, but it all depends on the floral design.
Where should you keep gypsophila?
Both fresh and drying compositions with gypsophila require a dry, warm, well-ventilated room.
How to store gypsophila without water?
For drying any bouquet, a well-ventilated room is suitable, but without active drafts (otherwise the light bouquet may tip over). There is no need to place any cut flowers in direct sunlight (otherwise the delicate white heads may shrivel rather than dry out).
How much does gypsophila cost in water?
It is believed that it will remain fresh in a vase with water for up to a month, but we recommend keeping it in this state for about 2 weeks and then switching to drying mode.
What is rainbow gypsophila?
This is not a type of flower, but a method of coloring: each branch is placed in a flask with a specific dye, and then a bouquet of the desired shades is collected.
What does it mean if a guy gives baby's breath?
This flower is a symbol of sincerity and purity of intentions, however, if your young man is not noted for the ability to read the language of flowers, most likely he just wanted to give you a tender gift and delicately express his warm feelings.
What does gypsophila smell like?
This flower exudes a very subtle, barely noticeable honey aroma, which is more noticeable if the branch has not been dyed. Rainbow, blue or pink baby's breath usually has little or no scent.
How to choose gypsophila?
It is best to choose plants without yellow or withered flowers, with half-opened strong buds. Look at the stem: it should not be dry (gypsophila drinks a lot of water, and its life cycle is shortened due to dehydration). Otherwise, most likely, if you see a bouquet of baby's breath in a flower shop and you like its appearance, then the flowers are good enough.