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Gaura lindheimeri (Wand flower, White gaura, Butterfly gaura)

Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of White Flower Farm

(Based on 6 user reviews)

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Hardiness Zones:

Botanical Name: Gaura lindheimeri GAR-ah lind-HY-mer-eye

Common Name: Wand flower, White gaura, Butterfly gaura Genus: Gaura

This North American wildflower is a bushy, clump-forming, vase-shaped perennial with lance-shaped or spoon-shaped, toothed leaves on slender, wand-like stems. Leaves may be occasionally spotted with maroon. Loose panicles of 4-petaled white flowers open only a few at a time and fade slowly to pink, blooming from late spring to early autumn.
Noteworthy characteristics: Great texture and graceful loose form, perfect for the border.
Care: Well-drained, fertile, moist soil is preferable, but will tolerate drought and partial shade. Remove spent flowers to prolong blooming period. Close planting or support from neighboring perennials is beneficial. May be cut back by half in late spring to control size.
Propagation: Divide in spring. Sow seed from spring to early summer.
Problems: Rust, Cercospora and Septoria leaf spots, sometimes downy and powdery mildews. Root rot may occur in heavy, poorly drained soils.

Overview
User Reviews
Photos

Height	3 ft. to 6 ft.
Spread	1 ft. to 3 ft.
Growth Habit	Clumps
Growth Pace	Moderate Grower
Light	Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture	Medium Moisture
Maintenance	Low
Characteristics	Native; Self Seeds; Showy Flowers
Bloom Time	Early Fall; Fall; Late Spring; Spring; Summer
Flower Color	Pink Flower; White Flower
Uses	Beds and Borders, Container, Cut Flower, Naturalizing, Suitable as Annual
Seasonal Interest	Spring Interest, Summer Interest
Type	Perennials

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posted by Blewbury
4/25/2008
Region: Southern California
Zone: 10

Gaura lindheimeri grows easily once established. It needs very little water. In a partial shade/partial sun area the gauras are flourishing with being watered no more than once a month in summer.

posted by JeffNJ
4/12/2008
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Zone: 6

Never last thru a winter here in North Jersey

posted by Catgirl
3/27/2008
Region: Lower Plains
Zone: 6

Love the delicate flowers. Avoid giving too much water. Must use a support circle and needs to be in place early in the season.

posted by catjane
3/27/2008
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Zone: 7

I love this plant, but lose it every 3 years or so - probably to wet winters. I do keep planting it, though. Not many plants give a full summer of bloom the way Gaura does. It looks beautiful with the narrow-leaved coneflower, Echinacea pallida.

posted by heuchera
3/27/2008
Region: Southeast
Zone: 7

posted by cecemax
3/27/2008
Region: Southeast
Zone: 7

Love this plant - but it is not as hardy in our hot and humid climate.

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