Gardening 101: Gaura (Beeblossom) – Care, Cultivation, and Design
Delicate, wind-swept blooms that thrive on minimal care bring charm to any garden.
Gardening 101: Gaura (Beeblossom)
Gracing gardens with wispy elegance, Gaura—often called beeblossom—stands out as a reliably hardy and beautiful perennial. Prized for its delicate wands of blooms that flutter in the lightest breeze, Gaura is both a pollinator magnet and a staple for low-maintenance perennial beds. Whether you’re looking for resilient beauty or dynamic movement in the landscape, Gaura offers four-season interest and effortless charm.
Cheat Sheet: Fast Facts About Gaura
- Botanical name: Gaura lindheimeri (now often listed as Oenothera lindheimeri).
- Common names: Gaura, Beeblossom, Wandflower, Lindheimer’s beeblossom.
- Family: Onagraceae (evening primrose family).
- Type: Herbaceous perennial (sometimes grown as an annual in colder zones).
- Height & Spread: 2–4 feet tall by 2–3 feet wide, depending on cultivar.
- Bloom time: Late spring to frost; flowers profusely across the warm months.
- Flower colors: White, pale pink, deep pink, blush pink, sometimes bicolor.
- Foliage: Lance-shaped green leaves; some cultivars feature variegated or maroon foliage.
- Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
- Hardiness: USDA zones 5–9; may overwinter less reliably in colder regions.
- Growth habit: Loose, open clumps with slender, upright-to-arching stems.
For an equally stunning addition to your garden, explore our complete care guide for Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena). This vibrant plant not only complements Gaura beautifully but also attracts a variety of pollinators, enhancing the overall health and beauty of your garden.
Keep It Alive: Gaura Care Requirements
- Sun exposure: Thrives in full sun (at least 6 hours daily).
- Soil: Prefers well-draining, sandy or rocky soil. Tolerates lean, even poor soils, but avoid heavy clay or waterlogged conditions.
- Water: Drought tolerant once established, but for best flowering, provide regular moisture. Water deeply when the top 2–3 inches of soil are dry, especially during prolonged drought periods.
- Fertilizer: Needs little to no feeding; fertile soils can cause leggy, floppy growth. If desired, amend soil at planting with a small amount of compost or bone meal for root health.
- Spacing: Allow 12–36 inches between plants, depending on variety, for mature spread and air circulation.
If you're ready to expand your gardening repertoire, don't miss our guide on how to successfully plant, grow, and care for Globe Amaranth. This plant thrives alongside Gaura and can bring a burst of color and texture to your gardens.
Tip: Plant Gaura where its airy stems and delicate blooms can sway freely—they bring movement and a soft texture to garden beds.
Maintenance and Seasonal Tasks
- Cut back stems by half after the initial flush of blooms to encourage bushier regrowth and a second bloom wave.
- Deadheading is optional but can keep plants neat and trigger more flowers.
- In late fall or early spring, shear back dead stems to a few inches above the soil for a tidy appearance and vigorous regrowth.
- Mulch lightly in colder climates to help roots overwinter. In USDA zones 5–6, consider treating as an annual or providing protection.
Common Problems and Solutions
- Floppy Growth: Avoid overly rich soil and excess fertilizer. Support tall stems with nearby sturdy perennials (see companion suggestions).
- Root Rot: Always plant in well-draining soils—amend heavy clay with sand, gravel, or plant in raised beds.
- Pests/Disease: Gaura is generally pest and disease free but may occasionally host aphids or rust in prolonged wet conditions.
Design Ideas: Using Gaura in the Garden
- Mix Gaura with other drought-tolerant perennials such as coneflower, lavender, rosemary, yarrow, salvias, and ornamental grasses for a wildflower or prairie garden feel.
- Gaura’s delicate blossoms mimic the movement of butterflies—ideal for coastal gardens and spots with gentle breezes.
- Combine with lower growing or mounding perennials to provide living support for Gaura’s fountain-like stems (e.g. azaleas, spirea, viburnum, sage).
- Excellent as a filler in borders, along pathways, or dotted through cottage and naturalistic gardens.
- Dwarf cultivars are perfect for edging, small beds, or containers.
Planting & Propagation Guide
How to Plant Gaura
- Choose a sunny site with well-drained soil.
- Loosen soil to 12 inches deep and mix in a small amount of compost or well-rotted manure (avoid rich amendments).
- If heavy clay is present, incorporate sand or gravel and consider raised beds for better drainage.
- Plant with the crown slightly above soil level to prevent rot.
- Space plants 12–36 inches apart, based on mature spread.
- Water gently but thoroughly at planting. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again. Continue regular watering until established.
Propagation Methods
- Seed: Very easy to grow from seed. Sow directly outdoors in spring or start indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost. Thin or transplant seedlings for best spacing.
- Division: Divide clumps in early spring if necessary; however, Gaura resents disturbance and is best propagated by seed.
- Cuttings: Take softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer if you want to clone a specific variety.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Gaura, Beeblossom, Wandflower |
| Botanical Name | Oenothera lindheimeri (formerly Gaura lindheimeri) |
| Height | 24–48 inches (varies by cultivar) |
| Spread | 12–36 inches |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, sandy, or rocky |
| Bloom Time | Late spring to frost |
| Zones | 5–9 (with some differences among cultivars) |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerant when established |
| Pollinators | Butterflies, bees |
Notable Gaura Cultivars
- Oenothera lindheimeri (species): Large open clumps, white flowers that mature to pink, deepening to rose before dropping, mid-green foliage turning darker in fall. Height 24–48 inches, spread 24–36 inches, hardy in zones 5–9.
- ‘Gambit’: Compact mounding form (16–20 inches tall, 12–16 inches wide). Hot pink starry flowers, variegated cream and green foliage flushed maroon. Great for beds, borders, containers, and prairie plantings; hardy in zones 6–9.
- ‘Ballerina Blush’: Upright, dependable series. 12–24 inches high, blush pink flowers, suitable for smaller spaces and containers, hardy in zones 5–9.
- ‘Siskiyou Pink’: Showy pink blooms, 2–3 feet tall, easy to grow from seed or transplants.
- ‘Crimson Butterflies’: Deep crimson foliage, vivid pink blooms, more compact and dense than typical Gaura.
- ‘Sunny Butterflies’: Pink petals with white margins, upright spikes, unique color contrast.
Seasonal Care Guide
Spring
- Plant new Gaura after all risk of frost has passed.
- Cut back overwintered stems to a few inches above soil to stimulate fresh growth.
- Divide mature clumps if necessary (avoid too frequent disturbance).
Summer
- Maintain deep, intermittent watering during dry spells (let top soil dry between watering).
- Snip back spent stems by half after initial blooms for a fresh flush.
Autumn
- Enjoy extended blooms until frost in mild climates.
- Gather seeds if desired or allow to self-seed.
- Mulch in colder regions or lift and store if growing as an annual north of zone 5.
Winter
- Minimal care needed; in cold regions, protect crown with light mulch.
- Remove dead stems before spring growth resumes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is Gaura considered invasive?
A: Gaura is not typically invasive but can self-seed modestly in ideal conditions. Deadhead to control unwanted spread.
Q: Why is my Gaura falling over?
A: Flopping stems often result from overly rich soil, excess fertilizer, or inadequate support. Grow with sturdy companions or use discreet supports if needed.
Q: Can Gaura be grown in containers?
A: Yes, compact cultivars like ‘Gambit’ and ‘Ballerina Blush’ thrive in pots with well-draining mix and regular sunlight.
Q: Does Gaura need pruning?
A: Prune lightly after bloom flushes to maintain shape and encourage reblooming. Cut back hard in fall or spring for healthy growth.
Q: Will Gaura survive winter in zone 5?
A: Some cultivars are hardy to zone 5, but survival depends on drainage and winter protection. In marginal regions, consider as an annual or mulch crowns well.
Essential Gaura Care Tips
- Full sun and lean, well-draining soil = happy Gaura.
- Water deeply but only when soil dries—avoid soggy roots.
- Deadhead for tidier appearance, though not strictly necessary.
- Shear by half after flowering to refresh display and encourage more blooms.
- Mix with other sturdy perennials for natural support.
- Cultivars offer varied heights, colors, and leaf forms—experiment with varieties for continued interest in displays.
Best Companion Plants for Gaura
- Coneflower (Echinacea)
- Ornamental grasses (Pennisetum, Miscanthus)
- Yarrow (Achillea)
- Lavender (Lavandula)
- Salvia and sage
- Spirea, azalea, rosemary, viburnum
Welcome Movement to Your Garden
With its graceful, wand-like spikes and clouds of dancing flowers, Gaura brings an ethereal, dynamic beauty to borders, meadows, and pollinator gardens. Easy care and drought tolerance make it a favorite for both new and seasoned gardeners. Try several cultivars for season-long performance and welcome a flutter of blooms—and butterflies—into your landscape.
References
- https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/grow-gaura/
- http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scene9411.html
- https://www.gardenista.com/posts/gardening-101-gaura-beeblossom-perennials-plant-care-growing-guide/
- https://www.epicgardening.com/gaura-types/
- https://www.gardenista.com/garden-design-101/perennials/gaura-lindheimeri-plant-care-growing-guide/
- https://www.gardenia.net/genus/gaura-lindheimeri
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avEplaYiH90
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Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.
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