Gaura is a genus of flowering plants. You can grow gaura indoors from seed or you can plant it directly in the garden as a small plant. Gaura is a perennial herbaceous plant that often forms dense thickets. When a genus includes several species, it is referred to as Beeblossom. Known as curling butterfly and wandflower Bee blossom. Gaura plants grow 15 to 48 inches tall and wide.
One of the characteristics of the gaura plant is that it blooms for a long time, which lasts longer than other plants. Blooms in early spring and lasts throughout the summer and repeats in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9. This plant is planted during autumn and spring. Gaura foliage is lance-shaped, often with different colors such as gold, green and pink for different species. The plant bears flowers with four petals on a long stem. The flowers of the gaura plant are pink, white or a combination of both.
History
Gaura is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Onygraaceae family. The plant’s name is derived from the Greek γαῦρος (gaûros) meaning magnificent. Some species of this plant are named after their size and flowers.
Gaura Plant Overview
- Botanical Name: Oenothera lindheimeri
- Common Name: Whirling butterfly, wandflower, bee blossom
- Family: Onagraceae
- Plant Type: Perennial, herbaceous
- Bloom Time: Summer, fall
- Soil Type: Sandy
- Soil pH: Acidic, alkaline, neutral
- Sun Exposure: Full
- Height: 15 to 48 inches
- Width: 15 to 48 inches
- Flowers Color: White, pink
- Hardiness Zones: 5-9 (USDA)
- Native Area: North America
Types of Gaura Plants
Biennial Gaura
Biennial Gaura is a flowering species in the Onagraceae family, also known as evening primrose. This plant can grow to a height of 2 to 6 feet. Biennial Gaura requires optimal soil to grow healthily, including sand, loam and gravelly sand. The flowers of this plant are initially white in color and gradually turn pink. These flowers contain petals, which are 0.5 inch wide and lobed. Biennial Gaura leaves are green in color, usually about 4 inches long and 0.6 inches wide. The flowering season of this plant is from July to October and USDA hardiness zones are 4 to 7.
Corrie’s Gold
Corrie Gold is a deciduous perennial plant that is hardy in USDA zone 4. The leaves of this plant are fine and chain, its flowers are white in color, shaped like a small butterfly and this flower looks as beautiful as the stars in the sky. This Corrie gold’s flowering season is early summer. It also prefers a full sun and partial shade location. The plant needs sand and chalk soil to grow and the soil should have good drainage. The height of this plant is 1 meter and can spread up to 0.5 meters. This plant attains its maximum height in 2 to 5 years.
Sparkle White
Sparkle White is a variety of fluorescent gold medal winning perennials. The leaves of this plant are green in color, and the plant can grow from 13 to 30 inches. It is hardy to USDA zone 6 and bloom time for the plant is from winter to late spring. Sparkle white usually has white flowers with a slight pink tint. A spacing of 17 to 20 inches is required when planting this plant as it is a bushy spreading plant.
Where to Plant Gaura
Plant the gaura in a place where it gets direct sunlight. Plant this plant in the center of the garden as a focal point in the garden. Choose well-drained soil for this gaura plant and summers suit it. Adequate moisture for this plant promotes better flowering and optimal growth.
When and How to plant Gaura
Gaura can sometimes flop, so when planting it, plant it with a heat-tolerant plant like globe thistle. Sow its seeds in the garden in the last month of spring or you can sow them indoors six weeks before the last frost.
You can plant this plant from seed or directly from the nursery. First dig a deep and wide hole to plant the plant brought from the nursery. Now loosen the roots of this plant and plant it in the pit and give the required fertilizer, enough water regularly. This plant is difficult to transplant once planted, so choose a prime location.
How to care
Gaura is a low maintenance plant that is easy to care for. This plant can be affected by aphids, whiteflies, spider mites and leaf miners, so it can be treated with an insecticidal soap. This perennial plant is widely planted in wildflower gardens because it is great for landscaping. This plant is nicknamed “Whirling Butterfly” because it dances with the wind.
Light
Plant this Gaura plant in full sun to prevent it from flopping. This plant needs a lot of sunlight, but will tolerate some afternoon shade. Good light exposure to Gaura promotes its flowering.
Soil
Gaura is best planted in sandy, alkaline and well-drained soils with chalky moist, loamy, acidic or neutral PH balance. A soil with a mixture of compost and small pebbles is suitable for this plant. Now plant these plants in vertical lines with space between them.
Water
Gaura should be watered regularly so that it grows faster. Too much water is harmful to this plant as gaura roots are likely to rot in wet conditions. Gaura grows quickly on the dry side during winter and keeping it too wet can kill it in winter.
Fertilizer
Gaura thrives in poor soil and does not require much fertilizer. The soil needs to be fertilized to stimulate its flowering. Mix compost with the soil when you grow this plant in your garden.
Temperature and Humidity
Gaura is a very heat tolerant plant, besides it can tolerate some cold. These plants look healthy and thriving even with the most brutal summer conditions.
Common Pests
Gaura plant does not suffer from many pests, but aphids can damage it during early summer. Which you can remove by spraying the plant with an insecticide. Remove the weeds growing around these plants as these weeds attract many pests and also stunt the growth of the plant.
Benefits of Gaura
- Gaura helps remove natural skin cleansers
- Regular use of this plant will not require a moisturizer
- Gaura helps reduce tan, dark spots
- It also removes acne/pimples scars
- Regular use of gaura makes the skin glow
Question
What is Gaura also known as?
Goura has common names such as wand flower, bee blossom, white goura, and appleblossom grass.
How long does gaura germination take?
Give the gaura plenty of water and place it on a warm windowsill at a temperature of 15-20°C (60-68°F). These seedlings usually appear in 14-28 days.
When should I start Gaura seed ?
Sow gaura in September to October or sow seeds in January to May. January to May is the best time for sowing then you can plant it in summer.