On this Wildflower Wednesday, I want to promote the sweet genus gaura. G. coccinea, Scarlet beeblossom, is native to many states. Other species of gaura are native to the southern U.S., but there are also gaura selections and hybrids sold in nurseries and box stores. I grow several “improved” selections of this native perennial. Remember G. lindheimeri ‘Siskiyou Pink’ or white ‘Whirling Butterflies?’ I grew each of these once upon a time. Gaura is especially pretty as it emerges in spring because the stems are red. Sometimes, winter is cold enough in my garden that I must cut gaura back to the ground, but in other years, I merely remove dead stems. Dead parts will snap off instead of bending. Also, look for any green within the stem. Green equals life.
There was a time when I wasn’t so fond of wand flower but that was my fault, not the genus’. Because gaura are perennial, I expected them to remain in my garden for years and years. Here, in Oklahoma, they can be short-lived perennials. They start blooming in early summer here and continue throughout fall with hardly a stopping point. However, this summer, with the rain and cooler temperatures, they seemed slower to bloom than usual.
Sometimes, a variety of gaura will stay viable in my garden for years. Other times, they only last a season or two. I decided instead of lamenting this behavior, I would play with their wild and wooly form and put them in places where I don’t mind if they leave. In other words, a place I might ordinarily plant annuals.
Although I haven’t had much luck with G. lindheimeri ‘Passionate Rainbow’ and its variegated foliage, I do like the pink and white blooming gauras. The one below from my garden has a horizontal form that cascades over walls and trails in between plants. I bought it as an untagged plant a couple of years ago. Isn’t it lovely?
One of my favorite gauras this summer is G. lindheimeri ‘Kleau04263’ Belleza Dark Pink. It has an upright growth habit and bright pink flowers. The featured photo at the top of the post is a closeup of this lovely gaura.
Belleza Dark Pink is a European selection with shorter, stockier stems. It may be another example where Europeans took American wildflowers and improved them through hybridization and selection. Sometimes, I think Europeans value our wildflowers more than we do.
I spread these easy plants throughout the garden in tough places that don’t get much water because like many prairie flowers, they have extensive tap roots. In fact, gauras love the gravel paths next my garden beds. Do you have a spot for a plant that looks like it belongs in fairy books? Try our native or a selected version of gaura, also known as wand flower. For more Wildflowers this Wednesday, see Gail’s blog, Clay and Limestone.
Nice post on gauras. I have the native annual velvet-leaf gaura in the tallgrass areas of my yard, but I haven’t tried to grow the garden perennials yet. I do like them, so maybe I’ll give them a try!
Hi Cynthia, they like their soil really dry, and it must be well drained. I think I often over water them.
Good to know, Dee. Thanks for the heads’ up. If I had trouble growing them, I would probably assume that they weren’t getting enough water, given the normal state of things around here!
I’ve had gauras before, but didn’t know some were native. I am thinking they must have died after a few years. They sure look happy in your garden!
Hi Sue, they look happy, but often they only last about three years. Odd isn’t it?
Very beautiful, Dee. I stopped trying to grow them because they never came back but, I’m wondering if I got the wrong kind……They are a great addition to any perennial bed so I will look into it. Thanks for the information!
Hi Sally, I don’t know. Could be your garden is well watered too. I’ve had to put mine where they get very little water to make them happy. Even then, some years they don’t return.
I am wondering if we get a little too much moisture for gaura here in the piney woods of east Texas. . .I don’t have luck with it. Maybe I will try one of the cultivars you recommend. . . .
Hi Annie, it could be all the great moisture y’all get in East Texas, but then again, who knows? Gaura are funny group of plants.
Beautiful! I really do love this plant but I’ve tried it twice in my garden with no luck. I don’t seem to have the same attitude as you – if I plant it, I want it to stick around and not disappear after one summer 🙂
Hi Kathryn, I’m surprised they don’t stay in your garden since you live in California. Gaura are funny that way. They usually live here two to three years. Sometimes four–it just depends.
I’m actually in Philly (PA) so maybe that’s the problem! 🙂
So sorry Kathryn, I thought you were the Kathryn friend from California. I didn’t look at your email address. Whoops. Yes, PA might be too cold and wet.
I’ve planted one for the first time this year, a white one, and so far so good. Your pink and white is really beautiful.
Hi Jessica, I wish you every success with yours. They are such fun plants–like sparklers on the 4th of July.
I’ve never tried growing Gauras, but I’ve enjoyed seeing them on other gardening blogs. I’ve also noticed it many times when visiting botanical gardens. I’m on the northern edge for this one, but it might be a good plant for one of my warmer microclimates. Happy Wildflower Wednesday!
Hi Beth, Happy WW to you too! If you have a nice brick wall to absorb heat, they might like it there. Make sure your soil is sandy if you try.
I love this plant too in its many forms but it does not always like my garden so I am looking for more native varieties as they have a better chance to survive.
I keep trying different ones too. Right now, I seem to have a good mix.
I’ve as yet to plant any gaura here at our new home. We had it in Colorado in a front border that was bordered by the driveway and sidewalk and it was a delight. Yours is beautiful!
Oh Peggy, that sounds really pretty!
I haven’t had much luck with gaura. Maybe I expected too much from it. As you have explained it I shouldn’t expect it to live too long. I think they are pretty but to me they take up too much real estate for the short time they bloom. I didn’t even know they were a native. Fun to learn more about them.
Hi Lisa, maybe you have the right attitude. I don’t think they are for everyone, but I enjoy them here and there. Maybe it’s too cold where you live?
Perhaps I will try it in the gravel garden. It might just live more than one season there and if not, oh well.
They’re wonderful flowers and when they bloom profusely as yours have they’re even better. Happy
WW!
Happy WW to you too Gail and thanks for sponsoring it.