A new Gypsophila plant particularly distinguished by having small, semi-double, white flowers and an upright shrub form type, is disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety ofGypsophila, botanically known asGypsophila paniculataL., and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘Pearls Petite’. ‘Pearls Petite’ originated from an open pollination within a group of unmarked parental lines in April 2010 in Negev, Israel.

Seeds were obtained from the open pollination and sown. Plants were then grown for evaluation. A plant line was selected in August 2010 in Negev, Israel and named ‘Pearls Petite’. In September 2010, ‘Pearls Petite’ was first vegetatively propagated in Negev, Israel by side shoot cuttings. ‘Pearls Petite’ was found to reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation via side shoot cuttings in Negrev, Israel.

SUMMARY

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in Negev, Israel.1. Small, semi-double, white flowers; and2. An upright shrub form type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘Pearls Petite’. The data which define these characteristics were collected in Negev, Israel in the summer of 2013. Data was collected on plants ten-weeks after planting. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (1986).Classification:Family.—Caryophyllaceae.Botanical.—Gypsophila paniculataL.Common name.—Baby's Breath.Denomination.—‘Pearls Petite’.Parentage:Female parent.—UnnamedGypsophila paniculataL. plant.Male parent.—UnnamedGypsophila paniculataL. plant.Plant:Form.—Upright shrub type.Habit.—Perennial.Plant height.—55.0 cm to 65.0 cm.Plant width.—50.0 cm to 55.0 cm.Flowering habit.—Year round in periodic flushes depending on growing conditions.Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—4 weeks rooting, 1 week hardening, 8 to 12 weeks between planting and first flowering depending on weather.Propagation type.—Vegetative by side shoots cuttings.Time to initiate roots.—2 to 3 weeks. Plant ready for planting in 5 weeks under moderate climate.Root description.—Light brown, branched, fibrillary secondary roots.Flowering stems:Quantity per plant.—10 to 15 per flush commercial grade.Color.—RHS 146B (Yellow-Green).General description.—Compound cymes with numerous flowers, panicle shaped.Stem strength.—Stable.Length.—55.0 cm to 65.0 cm.Diameter.—50.0 cm to 55.0 cm.Internodes length.—3.0 cm to 4.0 cm at stem base.Texture.—Glabrous.Leaves:Arrangement.—Opposite.Shape.—Lanceolate.Apex.—Acute.Base.—Wedge shaped.Margin.—Entire.Color.—Both mature and immature leaves: Upper surface: RHS 147A (Yellow-Green). Lower surface: RHS 147B (Yellow-Green).Length.—6.5 cm to 7.0 cm.Width.—0.6 cm to 0.7 cm.Texture.—Rugulose.Venation pattern.—Parallel.Venation color.—Upper surface: RHS 147A (Yellow-Green). Lower surface: RHS 147B (Yellow-Green).Flowers:Inflorescence type.—Compound cymes with numerous flowers having a panicle shape.Flowering season.—Year round naturally under 12 hours (and above) light.Lastingness of individual flowers on the plant.—7 to 10 days.Lastingness of the flowers as a cut flower.—7 to 10 days when proper post-harvest treatments are applied.Flower width.—0.6 cm to 0.7 cm.Flower depth.—0.5 cm.Flower shape.—Oblate, consists of many petals (semi-double type).Fragrance.—Typical forGypsophila.Number of inflorescences per plant.—10 to 15 per flush commercial grade.Number of flowers per inflorescence.—Hundreds; varies according to what you define a commercial stem and the way of cultivation.Inflorescence:Length(height).—55.0 cm to 65.0 cm.Diameter.—50.0 cm to 55.0 cm.Pedicel:Length.—0.5 cm.Diameter.—0.05 cm.Strength.—Stable.Texture.—Fine pubescent.Color.—RHS 147C (Yellow-Green).Peduncle:Length.—55.0 cm to 65.0 cm.Diameter.—0.2 cm to 0.3 cm at plant base.Texture.—Glabrous.Color.—RHS 146B (Yellow-Green).Flower buds: Fully mature.Color.—RHS 155C (White).Shape.—Oblate.Length.—0.3 cm.Diameter.—0.2 cm.Petals:Arrangement.—Pompon.Quantity.—30 to 40 per flower.Shape.—Spathulate.Apex.—Emarginated to wavy.Base.—Cuneate.Margin.—Entire.Size.—Length: 0.2 cm. Width: 0.1 cm.Color.—When opening: Both upper and lower surfaces: RHS 155C (White). Fully opened: Both upper and lower surfaces: RHS 155C (White).Surface texture.—Both upper and lower surfaces: Smooth.Sepals:Arrangement.—Cup shaped.Quantity.—5.Shape.—Lanceolate.Apex.—Acute.Base.—Cuneate.Margin.—Entire.Length.—0.2 cm.Width.—0.1 cm.Color.—Upper surface: Hidden; too difficult to determine color. Lower surface: RHS 147C (Yellow-Green).Surface texture.—Upper surface: Hidden; too difficult to determine texture. Lower surface: Glabrous.Reproductive organs:Stamens.—Quantity per flower: 5 to 10. Anther shape: Ovoid. Anther length: 0.1 cm to 0.2 cm. Anther color: RHS 156A (Greyed-White). Pollen amount: Cannot be defined, at best, scarce. Pollen color: RHS 156A (Greyed-White).Pistils.—Quantity per flower: 2. Pistil length: 0.4 cm to 0.5 cm. Style length: 0.4 cm to 0.5 cm. Style color: RHS 155C (White). Stigma shape: Ovoid. Stigma color: RHS 156C (Greyed-White). Ovary color: Variegated green and purple; colors cannot be determined.Fruit and seed set: None observed.Disease and insect resistance: Good tolerance to die-back, powdery mildew and leaf miners.

COMPARISON WITH KNOWN VARIETY

‘Pearls Petite’ is a distinct variety ofGypsophilaand is most similar to theGypsophilacommercial line ‘Million Stars’ (patent status unknown). Differences between the two varieties are described in Table 1: