Gaura: a perennial that flowers from June until the frosts
Airy flowers on long stems look like a flock of butterflies. How to grow gaura so that it survives the winter.
Gaura, botanically Gaura lindheimeri or, more recently, Oenothera lindheimeri, is one of the longest-flowering perennials. It flowers continuously from June until the first frosts.
Where to plant it
In full sun in free-draining, rather dry soil. It copes well with heat and drought. The most common cause of death is winter wet, not frost.
How to care for it
Do not cut it back in autumn. The top growth protects the plant through winter. Cut it back in spring, once it starts to shoot. It shoots late, so do not dig it up too early in spring. In colder areas a light cover of conifer branches helps.
What to expect
Gaura is a short-lived perennial. It lasts several years in one place and self-seeds on a suitable site.
What to combine it with
It goes very well with ornamental grasses, salvias, verbena and coneflowers. Thanks to its see-through habit it also suits the front of the border.
Cultivars in our catalogue
Gaura lindheimeri 'Summer Breeze'
Gaura lindheimeri 'Cool Breeze'
In groups, allow 5 pcs/m². It overwinters best on free-draining sites that stay dry in winter. Spring planting gives the plants a whole season to root in.