Baby's Breath

Gysophila

Gysophila bicolor
Very similar to G. paniculata, this taprooted, densely-branched perennial, reaches up to 3.3 feet in height. It is native from the Caucasus to central Asia; south to northern Turkey to Iran.
The lance-shaped leaves, up to 2.3 x 0.5 inches in size, are blue-green.
The very abundant white flowers are borne during late spring.
Hardy zones 6 to 8 ( 5 on protected sites ) in full sun on very well drained soil. It is very drought tolerant.

Gysophila cerastioides
A moderate growing, low, clumping perennial, reaching up to 16 inches x 2 feet.
It makes a great plant for the rock garden.
The leaves, up to 2 inches in length, are downy gray-green. The foliage is evergreen in mild climates.
The pure white flowers, up to 0.6 inches wide, are purple veined. They appear during early summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 7 in full sun.

* historical archive photo

'Pixie Splash'
The flowers are white with some pink splashing. It is otherwise identical to species.

* photo taken on Apr 24 2024 in Elkridge, MD

Gysophila fastigiata 'Silverstar'
An upright but dwarf perennial, reaching only 1 foot in height. It is great for edging and containers.
The abundant, fragrant, tiny, white flowers are borne during late summer.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in full sun on very well drained soil.

Gysophila paniculata ( Baby's Breath )
A deep taprooted, mounding perennial, reaching a maximum size of 5 x 4 feet, that is native from southern and eastern Europe; east to central Asia.
The lance-shaped leaves, up to 4 x 0.2 inches in size, are blue-green.
The very small, single, white flowers, up to 0.2 inches across, are borne on very large, airy panicles, up to 10 inches in length. The flowers are borne during early to mid summer, often repeating during autumn if cut back immediately after the first bloom. They are often cut, dried and used for floral arrangments.
Hardy zones 2 to 7 in full sun on alkaline, light, well drained soil. It is extremely cold hardy, thriving as far north as Grande Prairie, Alberta and The Pas, Manitoba. Thrives on alkaline soil, it does not like cold wet soil. Baby's Breath does not like root disturbance once established. Slugs will sometimes feed on plants. Propagation is from seed, or semi-ripe cuttings for cultivars.

* photo of unknown internet source

* photo taken on June 8 2012 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on Aug 4 2013 in Bayfield, Ontario

* photos taken on July 9 2023 in Collingwood, ON

* historic archive photo

'Compacta Plena'
Compact and dwarf in habit, reaching a maximum height of 2 feet.
The double flowers are white.

'Flamingo'
Vigorous with double, pale pink flowers; otherwise identical to species.

'Perfecta'
Vigorous, reaching a maximum size of 5 x 4 feet, with double white flowers borne all summer long.

'Pink Fairy'
Forms a mound up to 3 x 3 feet, with double pink flowers borne all summer long.

'Red Sea'
Reaches up to 4 feet in height, with double rose-pink flowers.

'Rosy Veil'
Reaches up to 1.3 x 3 feet, with blue-green foliage and pale pink flowers.
Hardy zones 4 to 9.

'Viette's Dwarf'
Compact in habit, reaching up to 3 x 3.8 ( rarely over 1.5 ) feet, with sprays of flowers that are pink fading to white.

Gysophila repens ( Creeping Baby's Breath )
A mat-forming perennial, reaching a maximum size of 1.3 x 4 ( rarely over 1 ) feet. It is fast growing and can form a large mat in just 2 years. It looks great cascading over a rock wall. It is native to mountains in central and southern Europe.
The narrow, semi-evergreen foliage is blue-green.
The white flowers are borne over a long season during mid-summer to early autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 7 in full sun on slightly acidic to alkaline, light, well drained soil. It is very drought tolerant. Shearing back immediately after initial bloom encourages rebloom.

'Alba'
White flowers.

'Rosea'
Pink flowers, otherwise identical.

New Zealand Flax

Phormium

A small genus of evergreen perennials that are closely related to the Agaves.
They thrive in full sun on moist, fertile, well drained soil that is deeply mulched during winter. They are tolerant of ocean salt breezes and pollution.
These most spectacular specimen plants look great as a focal point, especially with a gravel mulch. They also look great in planters and the smaller varieties are great for the urban garden.
Propagation is from division.

* photo of unknown internet source

* video found on Youtube


Phormium cookianum
A very large, fleshy-rooted, evergreen, clumping perennial, reaching a maximum size of 7 x 10 feet, that is native to New Zealand.
The sword-shaped leaves, up to 6 feet x 2.4 inches in size, are green.
The tubular flowers are brown on the outside, pale green on the inside.
The flowers are borne during late spring to early summer.
They are followed by nodding seedpods.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 ( tolerating as low as 2 F as a dieback perennial on protected sites ), it thrives on coastal sites.

'Cream Delight'
Moderate growing, reaching up to 3 x 6 feet with leaves, up to 2.5 inches across, that are green and boldly vertically striped creamy-yellow.

'Dark Delight'
Reaches up to 4 x 6 feet, with leaves, up to 4 feet in length, that are deep reddish-purple.

* photos taken on Aug 25 2013 @ University of Maryland, College Park

'Emerald Green'
Dwarf in habit, reaching up to 1 foot, with bright green foliage.

'Tricolor'
Forms a vigorous clump of drooping leaves, up to 5 feet in length, that are green in the center, surrounded by bold yellow vertical strips and a rose-red margin.
The yellow flowers are borne on a spike up to 3 feet high.

Phormium tenax
A very large, fleshy-rooted, evergreen, clumping perennial, reaching a maximum size of 17 x 14 ( usually closer to half that ) feet, that is native to New Zealand. It has naturalized in similar climates to its native range, including western Ireland and the mildest parts of England.
The stiff, thick, sword-shaped leaves, up to 10 feet x 6 inches in size, are deep olive-green above, blue-green beneath.
The rusty-red, tubular flowers are borne atop a purple stalk.
They are followed by nodding seedpods up to 4 inches in length.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 ( tolerating as low as 2 F as a dieback perennial on protected sites ). Tolerant of flooding and seashore conditions.

* photos of unknown internet source



* historical archive photos

'Atropurpureum'
Fast growing with bronzed leaves.
Hardy zones 7 to 11, tolerating 2 F as a perennial.

'Aurora'
The leaves, up to 10 feet in length, are deep green and attractively vertically striped pink above, blue green beneath.

'Black Magic'
Also called 'Platt's Black'. Forms a moderate growing, compact clump, up to 4 feet in height, with rich, very dark bronze-purple foliage.

'Bronze Baby'
Forms a fast growing, compact, upright clump. The leaves, up to 3 feet x 1.5 inches, are deep purplish-red.

'Dazzler'
Forms a foliage clump, up to 3 feet high, of arching leaves, up to 1.5 inches across, that are bronze with scarlet-red vertical stripes.

'Evening Glow'
The leaves, up to 40 x 1.3 inches, are bright reddish-pink with a narrow grayish-brown margin.

'Firebird'
Forms a moderate growing, upright clump, up to 5 feet high. The stiff leaves, up to 2 inches across, are purplish-bronze with bright red vertical marginal strips.

'Flamin'
Moderate growing and compact, reaching up to 3 x 3 feet.
The foliage is glowing red with orange and bronze tints.
It is among the hardiest and most drought tolerant of the purple foliaged phormiums.

* video found on Youtube


'Gold Sword'
Forms an erect clump of foliage up to 3.3 feet in height.
The broad leaves are bright yellow with vertical deep green stripes near the margin.

'Goliath'
A huge, vigorous form, with gigantic leaves, up to 13 feet x 5 inches.
The foliage is olive-green above, bright blue beneath.
The flower spikes are up to 12 feet tall.

'Guardian'
Also called 'Red Guardian'. Forms an upright clump, up to 7 feet high.
The leaves, up to 1.5 inches across, are deep bronze-red with a deep red margin.

'Lineatum'
Stiff leaves, up to 6 feet in length, that are olive-green with narrow vertical creamy-yellow stripes. Makes a great container plant.

'Maori Chief'
Also called 'Rainbow Chief'. Forms a vigorous, upright clump. The leaves, up to 5 feet x 3 inches, are bronze-green with pinkish-red vertical stripes close to the margin.

'Maori Maiden'
Also called 'Rainbow Maiden'. Moderate growing with upright leaves, up to 5 ( rarely over 3 ) feet x 2 inches, that are intense orange-red to rosy-red with a thin green margin.

* photo of unknown internet source


'Maori Queen'
Forms a large clump of erect leaves, up to 5 feet x 3 inches each. The leaves are olive-green to bronze-green with a rose-red margin that fades to creamy-white.

'Maori Sunrise'
Also called 'Rainbow Sunrise'. Moderate growing. The leaves, up to 32 x 1.6 inches, are salmon-pink ( fading to pale yellow ) with vertical narrow bronze-green bands near the margin.

'Pink Stripe'
Forms a moderate growing clump, up to 5 feet high, with foliage that is bronzy-green to nearly gray with a bold broad bright pink margin.

'Radiance'
Forms a clump of erect sword-shaped leaves, up to 6 feet x 3 inches each, that are pale yellow with a mid-green margin.

'Sundowner'
Forms an upright, large clump, up to 7 x 10 feet, of huge leaves, up to 6 feet in length.
The leaves, up to 2.5 inches across, are bronze-green with intense rosy-pink margins that later fade to creamy-white.

'Sunset'
Forms an upright clump, up to 5 feet high. The long leaves, up to 1.5 inches across, are orangish-pink ( later fading to creamy-yellow ) with a bronze-green margin.

'Thumbelina'
Forms a dense dwarf clump of slightly twisted, very narrow leaves, up to 16 inches in length, that are bronze-purple.

'Tom Thumb'
Fast growing, with narrow leaves, up to 18 inches in length, that are green with a very narrow reddish-bronze margin.

'Variegatum'
Forms an upright, large clump, up to 6 ( rarely over 4 ) feet high. The broad leaves, up to 3 inches across, are deep gray-green with bold creamy-yellow vertical strips.

'Yellow Wave'
Vigorous in habit, with graceful leaves that are upright with drooping tips.
The leaves, up to 4 feet x 2 inches, are yellow with an intense mid-green border.
It is easily propagated.

Olive

Olea
A small genus of close to 20 species of evergreen trees and shrubs that are part of the Oleacaceae family. They are mostly native to the Mediterranean, Asia and Africa.
They prefer full sun; deep fertile well drained soil and long hot summers.
Most species are very drought tolerant once fully established.
They are deer resistant but the trunks of young trees should be protected from rabbits or other gnawing critters.
Propagation is from cuttings, suckers or seed that is soaked for 2 days before sowing.

Olea africana ( African Olive )
Also called Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata. A close relative to Olea europea, which becomes a medium sized tree.
It is native to southern Africa where it is endangered.
Some records include: 90 years - 40 x 70 feet with a trunk diameter of 4.6 feet; largest on record - 60 x 82 feet with a trunk diameter of 13 feet. Some records include: 90 years - trunk diameter of 4.6 feet; It makes an excellent shade tree for an open lawn but keep in mind that its aggressive large root system can damage pools and underground pipes.
The foliage is similar to that of Olea europea but is glossy gray-green above, rusty-brown beneath. The willow-like leaves are up to 3 x 1 inches in size.
The purplish-black fruits are up to an inch in length.
The highly valuable wood is used to make fine furniture.
Hardy zones 9 to 10 ( tolerating as low as 15 F ). Very drought tolerant.
Propagation is from seed. If often self seeds to the extent of being invasive and should not be planted in much of southern Australia where birds will widely distribute the seed.

* photos of unknown internet source



Olea capensis ( Black Ironwood )
A fast growing, large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 133 feet, that is native to eastern and southern Africa. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 4 feet; 4 years - 15 feet. It makes an excellent landscape tree.
The leaves, up to 4 x 2 inches, are glossy deep green.
The fragrant, white flowers are borne during spring.
The are followed by edible, small, purplish-black fruits, up to 0.6 x 0.3 inches.
The bark is dark gray and fissured.
Hardy zones 9 to 11 preferring full sun though it will tolerate shade.

* photos of unknown internet source



subsp macrocarpa ( Cape Olive )
Also called Olea macrocarpa. A fast growing large tree, reaching a maximum height of 100 feet with a trunk diameter of 5 feet, that is native to southern Africa.
The leaves are up to 4 x 1.5 inches.
The fine timber is highly valued.
Hardy zone 10

Olea cunninghamia ( Black Maire )
A slow growing, medium-sized tree.
The leaves are up to 10 x 0.5 inches in size.
Hardy zones 9.

Olea cuspidata
Some records include: largest on record - 65 x 88 feet with a trunk diameter of 4.5 feet.

Olea europaea ( Common Olive )
A medium-sized, evergreen tree, native to the Mediterranean Sea region is among the worlds most important trees. It also makes a very attractive landscape tree with older plants often having a twisted trunk and gnarled branches. Moderate to fast growing when young; some records include: 4 years - 12 feet; 5 years - 17 feet; 80 years - trunk diameter of 40 x 57 feet with a trunk diameter of 3.5 feet; 100 years - 50 feet; 130 years - trunk diameter of 5.3 feet; largest on record - 100 x 60 feet with a trunk diameter of 11.9 feet. It has been grown in the mildest parts of England but grows slowly there due to cooler summers. One is known to have reached 20 feet in London. Extremely long-lived, the Olive tree has been known to survive as long as 3014 years as is one on the island of Crete in Greece.
The lance-shaped leaves are up to 4 x 1 inches in size. The foliage is deep gray-green above; silver beneath.
The fruits, up to 1 inch in length, are green, later ripening to black.
They are extremely valuable, and are among the healthiest of all oils for cooking.
Trees generally bear fruit after reaching the age of 10.
Trees need to be planted in groups to achieve good fruit production.
The oil content of the fruit is usually about 25 %. The phenolic compounds in olive oil are extremely beneficial to health. They are rich in Vitamin E and Vitamin K, Omega 3 and Omega 6 as well as having anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-cancerous and cardio protective properties. An orchard of Olive can bear up to 2 tons per acre. This tree is extensively grown as a commercial crop in southern Europe, southwest Asia, northern Africa and to a lesser extent in Argentina and the southwest U.S. It also makes an excellent landscape tree for other mediterranean climate regions in the world such as central Chile and southwestern Australia.
In parts of southern Australia it grows too vigorously and spreads too fast, thus becoming a weed.
The dark gray bark on older trees is fissured.
Hardy zones 8 to 10, hot summers are required to fruit production.

* photos of unknown internet source









* photos taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* historical archive photos

* photo taken on Aug 4 2021 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC

'Arbequina'
Hardier ( zone 8a ) and does not need a pollinater to bear fruit.

* photo taken on Oct 23 2024 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Wash, DC

* photo taken on June 9 2025 in Elkridge, MD

* Arbequina Olive in Campanha, Portugal

'Little Ollie'
An attractive cultivar, reaching a maximum size of 12 x 12 ( rarely over 5 ) feet forming a moderate growing, dense rounded shrub. It makes an excellent choice for patio containers and hedging.
The foliage is deep green above, bright silvery-green below.
It does not produce fruit.
Hardy zones 8 +.

'Lucca'
Very vigorous and large growing, producing abundant fruits that are used for excellent tasting oil ( fruits contain around 28% oil content ).
Hardy zones 8 to 10, it is among the more cold hardy Olives.

'Majestic Beauty'
Fast growing, it does not produce fruit so it can be planted as a street tree or to shade the driveway. Not sure about the point of growing a fruitless Olive...I think I'd just grow the real thing and pick all the fruit before they fall.
Hardy zones 8 to 10.

* photo taken on May 16 2022 in Elkrdige, MD

* photos taken on Aug 11 2022 in Elkridge, MD

'Manzanillo'
A large tree that can live up to 2000 years, possibly more.
There is attractive, leathery foliage on this cultivar commonly grown in mediterranean climates throughout the world. It is self fertile. The abundant, large fruits are purplish-green to black. The fruits are very often sold for eating at your local grocery store.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 ( tolerating at least as low as 12 F ) it is also extremely heat tolerant and is among the best cultivars for the Deep South in the U.S.

'Mission;
Vigorous, reaching up to 40 x 40 feet, and commonly planted in California and in fact the most common cultivar in northern California. The foliage is gray-green.
It is self fertile not needing a pollinator to produce fruit. The flavorful black fruits can be eaten or made into olive oil.
More cold hardy than species ( zones 7b to 10 ). It has been known to tolerate 0 F and resprout after being killed to the ground at -4 F. It is the most cold hardy Olive and can be grown where many other Olives can't be grown.

'Oblonga'
Reaches up to 50 feet, with attractive silvery foliage.
It produces high quality olive oil.
Hardy zones 9 +. It has excellent resistance to Verticillium Wilt.

'Swan Hill'
Fast growing, reaching up to 40 x 30 feet.
Hardy zones 8 to 10.

Olea excelsa ( Picconia )
A handsome, impressive, medium-sized, evergreen tree that is native to the Canary Islands. It can reach a maximum height of 60 feet with a trunk diameter of 3 feet.
The elliptical leaves, up to 4 x 2 inches, are glossy deep green.
Hardy zones 9 to 10, it thrives in England only around Cornwall.

Olea ferruginea ( Indian Olive )
A rounded, evergreen, medium-sized tree, reaching up to 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 2 feet, that is native to the northwest Himalayas. Some records include: 6 years - 12 feet. One year coppice shoots can reach up to 3 feet.
The leaves are up to 4 inches in length.
The fruits are a good source for Olive Oil.
Hardy zones 8b to 10 ( tolerating at least as low as 14 F ).

Olea lanceolata ( White Maire )
A slow growing, small to medium-sized tree that is native to New Zealand.
Some records include: largest on record - 50 feet with a trunk diameter of 3.5 feet.

Olea laurifolia
A large tree, that is native to Africa. It can reach a maximum height of 120 feet with a trunk diameter of 4.5 feet.
The elliptical leaves, up to 4 x 1.5 inches, are glossy green.
The very strong timber is the heaviest wood of any species of tree.
Hardy zone 9

Olea yunnanensis
An extremely rare, elegant, large evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 100 ( averaging 40 ) feet, that is native to the Himalayas, western China, Malaysia and Indonesia.
The lance-shaped leaves, up to 7 x 3 inches, are glossy mid-green.
The purplish-black fruits are small. Hardy zone 8 to 10 ( reports of 7 ); thriving in the Deep South.