Perennial
Gaura
Oenothera lindheimeri
An airy perennial also known as Gaura lindheimeri. Small white or pink-tinged flowers sway on slender stems from summer into autumn. It likes sun and good drainage; survival in cold, wet winters is uncertain.
- Size
- 1–1.5 m high · 0.5–1 m wideVaries by cultivar
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Low
- Winter
- Needs protection
- Seasonal form
- Dies back
- Maintenance
- Moderate
Before planting
- Choose sun and very well-drained soil. Heavy ground that holds water in winter reduces the chances of survival.
- Check the cultivar's height: alongside forms reaching about 1–1.5 m, shorter garden cultivars exist.
- Plant in spring in cooler regions. A hardiness rating is not a guarantee that the plant will persist.
Why choose it
- Loose flower sprays give borders an airy appearance and movement.
- In favourable conditions, flowering continues from summer until autumn frosts.
Care
- Water after planting until established. Later, the plant tolerates periods of drought better than constantly wet ground.
- Avoid overfeeding: overly rich soil may encourage leaves and floppy stems at the expense of flowers.
- In cold climates, leave the main cutback until spring. Winter cover cannot replace drainage around the crown.
Good to know
- Gaura lindheimeri and Oenothera lindheimeri are two names for the same species.
- It is a perennial even where it fails to survive winter. Its deep taproot makes older plants difficult to transplant.