Oenothera lindheimeri 'Whirling Butterflies'
gaura (syn. Gaura lindheimeri Whirling Butterflies)
A graceful, hazy plant with airy wands of white, fading to pink, star-shaped flowers with distinctive long anthers like daddy long-legs, held on slender stems from May to September.
This exceptionally long-flowering perennial, with slender, grey-green leaves, looks equally at home in an informal cottage-style garden or among soft grasses in a new perennial-style border.
Oenothera lindheimeri 'Whirling Butterflies' is particularly free flowering, drought-tolerant and will soak up the sun. Give it space, as its wispy stems will lean over other plants and pathways.
This exceptionally long-flowering perennial, with slender, grey-green leaves, looks equally at home in an informal cottage-style garden or among soft grasses in a new perennial-style border.
Oenothera lindheimeri 'Whirling Butterflies' is particularly free flowering, drought-tolerant and will soak up the sun. Give it space, as its wispy stems will lean over other plants and pathways.
How to care for Oenothera lindheimeri Whirling Butterflies:
Choose a site that mimics the native prairie location in which the plant thrives such as a sunny site with modestly fertile, well-draining soil.
Avoid backfilling with compost (unless the soil is particularly heavy, or poorly drained) as nutrient-rich soil can result in leggy growth and fewer flowers.
Initially, water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root development, then reduce watering as the plants establish except in prolonged dry spells. A light mulch will help retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep it away from the crown to avoid stem rot.
As winter approaches, leave the spent foliage in place—it adds architectural interest with its russet tones and helps protect the crown from frost.
In early spring, cut back the plants to about 15cm (6in) from the ground, and divide congested clumps every 3-4 years to maintain their vigour.
Please be aware that purplish-brown spotting can appear on gauras at certain times of the year and/or certain times in the plant's life cycle. This is not a disease but a physiological response to cold temperatures, and occurs when new growth has encountered unseasonably chilly conditions. It will not affect the plant's vigour or flowering potential and will often improve in warmer weather.
Avoid backfilling with compost (unless the soil is particularly heavy, or poorly drained) as nutrient-rich soil can result in leggy growth and fewer flowers.
Initially, water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root development, then reduce watering as the plants establish except in prolonged dry spells. A light mulch will help retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep it away from the crown to avoid stem rot.
As winter approaches, leave the spent foliage in place—it adds architectural interest with its russet tones and helps protect the crown from frost.
In early spring, cut back the plants to about 15cm (6in) from the ground, and divide congested clumps every 3-4 years to maintain their vigour.
Please be aware that purplish-brown spotting can appear on gauras at certain times of the year and/or certain times in the plant's life cycle. This is not a disease but a physiological response to cold temperatures, and occurs when new growth has encountered unseasonably chilly conditions. It will not affect the plant's vigour or flowering potential and will often improve in warmer weather.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.75m
Eventual spread:
0.45m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Borderline hardy (will need protection in winter in colder areas)
-
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
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