Gaura lindheimeri 'WHIRLING BUTTERFLIES'

Poetry comes alive when this gaura begins to bloom. Like a flock of tiny white butterflies chasing one another among thin stems when the sun is high and hot. The breeder must have seen the resemblance, too, which is why it was named Whirling Butterflies. Its thin stems seem to be dancing in the slightest breeze and hold chalk white flowers with three upper petals and one lower. The bonus is the few pendent stamens that look like an elegant walrus moustache. This gaura offers a very romantic appearance when flowering is at its peak, it will look great in cottage gardens as well as in modern pots in minimalistic architecture. If the stem height exceeds your expectation cut them back to any size for more compact shape and prolonged flowering until early autumn.

In the wild gaura lives in naturally moist lands where it thrives. Grow it in equally moist but well drained soil in full sun. Once established it tolerates summer drought. The richer soil the more flowers you get so if unsure about your soil quality fertilize it with any common fertilizer for flowering plants when in bloom. If grown in well-drained soil and protected with fir branches in winter it can withstand down to about -27°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 03-08-2014