Airy blooms on wispy, graceful stems cover white gaura (Gaura lindheimeri) all season. Its 1-inch flowers open white and bloom up the stem like gladiolus, gradually blushing with soft pink. A native to Louisiana, Texas, and Mexico, it survives hot weather and periods of drought because of its long tap root, which finds water deep in the soil.

Plant Facts
Common name: White gaura
Botanical name: Gaura lindheimeri
Plant type: Perennial
Height: 5 feet tall
Zones: 6 to 9 (5 with winter protection)
Family: Onagraceae (fuchsia family)

Growing conditions

  • Sun: Full sun is best, but will tolerate some shade in warmer climates.
  • Soil: Flourishes in sandy, loamy, well-drained soil; may droop by midseason in rich soil.
  • Moisture: Average to dry


Care

  • Mulching: To deter weeds, add a 1- to 2-inch layer of organic mulch around plants.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring, if needed.
  • Pruning: Remove spent flowers to encourage more flowering.

Cultivars

  • Award-winning ‘Petite Pink' (pictured above) has pink flowers and dark green to burgundy foliage. Grows 12 to 16 inches tall. Zones 5 to 9.
  • Free-flowering ‘Whirling Butterflies' has red sepals and gray-green foliage. Grows 24 to 36 inches tall. Zones 6 to 9.
  • ‘Siskiyou Pink' has showy pink flowers from May to August. Grows 2 ½ to 3 feet tall. Zones 5 to 8.

Garden Notes

  • Combine with Oriental poppy, licorice mint, or other perennials that do well in dry conditions.
  • Plant white gaura in a wildflower garden where its loose form complements wildflowers.
  • Because it self-sows easily, watch for unwanted seedlings each spring.
  • Collect seeds in the fall and sow them in other parts of the garden.
  • Dividing and transplanting white gaura is difficult because of the plant's large tap root.

Pests and diseases

  • Downy and powdery mildew, rust, or leaf spots appear, but rarely.
  • Root rot may occur in heavy, wet soil.

Propagation

  • Sow seeds in a cold frame in spring.
  • Divide in spring or fall.
  • Take softwood cuttings in spring.

All in the family

  • Fuchsias and evening primroses (Oenothera) are two other plants in this family.


Text by Mary Pestel, photo courtesy of Proven Winners