Gypsophila repens, the alpine gypsophila or creeping baby's breath, 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.[1] The Latin name literally means "creeping chalk-lover".[2] It is a prostrate, mat-forming herbaceous perennial, growing around 20cm (10inches) tall by 30- wide. For much of the summer it bears masses of star-shaped flowers which may be white, lilac or light purple, in loose panicles.[3]
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.[4] [5]