 | Gaura is a hardy, herbaceous perennial that is almost constantly in bloom. Its full scientific name is Gaura lindheimeri, but it is also known as ‘bee blossom.’ Most people consider the two most attractive types of gaura to be “Whirling Butterfly” and “Siskiyou Pink,” but there is also a wild type that is mildly attractive. In this article we will be concerned mainly with growing the two previously stated types.
The unique and wonderful thing about gaura is that its blooms resemble real life butterflies (and yet another name for gaura is ‘Butterfly Bush’). The plant is very eye-catching due to these butterfly-like blooms and they make the plant well worth considering for inclusion in your garden (gaura also attracts real life butterflies as well!).
Gaura is relatively easy to grow. It thrives in loamy or sandy well-draining soil and is very hardy due to a long taproot that makes it virtually drought resistant. The negative thing concerning the taproot is that it makes the plant difficult to dig up and separate since it’s almost impossible to get the taproot all the way out of the ground, and if the taproot ever gets broken the gaura will die. So make sure you have chosen the best location before you plant it.
You can plant gaura by itself or use it to fill in various areas of your garden. You can also line your driveway or walking paths with it. The Whirling Butterfly and Siskiyou Pink varieties usually grow to heights of two to three feet and spread out about three to four feet wide. Gaura grows into a vase-shaped bush with hairy stems, and the blooms will be about an inch wide with four petals each. The petals will be either pink, white, or a deep rose color. The stems of the plant will be erect and wiry. The seeds take two to three weeks to germinate and you can save the seeds for future planting. Gaura will bloom from early spring to early winter and it’s very resistant to frost and cold; occasionally you will even see blooms appearing in deep winter.
To buy gaura, you can usually find it in nurseries where it’s kept in six-inch to one-gallon containers throughout spring and summer. If you live in a mild climate you will usually find it all year round.
To plant gaura, find a sunny location. Then take your containers and tap on the sides to loosen the plant and slide it out. You can use a hand cultivator (a clawlike tool) to loosen any roots that have set up inside the pot. Put a tiny bit of organic fertilizer in the hole before setting the plant. Then put the plant in at the same depth it was in the container. You should space the plants out about one to two feet apart. Finally, you should water the soil until it is very moist. But after that, water it only occasionally. Again, it is crucial to have well-draining soil. You may want to plant gaura beside other perennials for support so that they don’t flop over.
Gaura will require very little care after planting. But you can follow these tips to keep them in top shape: During especially dry summers, water the plants once a week (gaura is very tolerant of humidity and heat and it is best grown in hot dry climates). In late fall, prune the older stems all the way down to the soil level. Then in the spring use some organic fertilizer, following the instructions listed on the package. Although gaura is hardy, for best results give it a top coating of manure or leaves that are just about to start molding.
The Siskiyou Pink variety will need to be pruned a lot to keep it from overgrowing, otherwise it gets wild and scruffy looking. Before spring give it a major pruning, then another at the end of winter. It may need another trimming again if blooming periodically stops. Deadheading or cutting off old flower spikes will encourage new blooms and prolong the blooming period. Pruning while the plants are young will also produce a fuller look with the blooms being more well-balanced.
Siskiyou Pink was created by Baldassare Mineo in 1994 who noticed it growing as a natural mutation while working at the Siskiyou Rare Plant Nursery. He then chose it for further development and propagation. Other cultivars produced from Siskiyou Pink are 'Sunny Butterflies,' 'Blushing Butterflies,' and 'Crimson Butterflies.'
The bush of the Whirling Butterfly will grow to about three feet tall, and spreading to around 4 feet wide. Make sure to trim it back also so it doesn't get too rangy. It will usually bloom earlier than Siskiyou Pink.
If you plant a large clump of Whirling Butterflies and Siskiyou Pink together they will create a very striking visual effect similar to a group of drifting butterflies. And because real butterflies will be attracted to them, it will be a real treat to the eye the first time you behold real life butterflies soaring around the butterfly-like blooms.
Gaura is also excellent for cut flowers and is very popular for use in bouquets. It can also be grown from cuttings, but if you try this you should probably use a rooting hormone.
There will be no serious disease or insect problems with gaura, even though pollinating insects love all gaura plants. So they really are low maintenance. But note that the roots may rot if they are in soil that does not drain well. Also, keep an eye out for aphids hiding around the stem tips.
You may want to try the cultivars ‘Corrie's Gold’ and ‘Pretty in Pink,’ which are also popular. Other varieties are ‘Pink Fountain,’ ‘Ballerina Blush,’ ‘Perky Pink’ and ‘Ballerina Rose.’
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