Gaura lindheimeri Whirling Butterflies (Beeblossom)

Tough but delicate and incredibly pretty, Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’ (Gaura lindheimeri) features tall, airy-looking flowers dancing and dangling along thin stems.

Tough but delicate and incredibly pretty, Gaura 'Whirling Butterflies' (Gaura lindheimeri) features tall, airy-looking flowers dancing and dangling along thin stems. This North American wildflower adds a unique texture in the garden with its 4-petaled, white butterfly-like flowers borne at the top of the airy spikes. More compact than its parent, this cultivar produces more crisp white flowers on reddish stems.

  • Enjoys a long blooming season, typically from early summer into fall, with only a few flowers opening at a time. However, they bloom in sufficient numbers to create a very graceful display for weeks.
  • Forms a lovely vase-shaped clump, about  2–3 ft. high (60-90 cm) and 12-15 in. wide (30-37 cm), of erect or arching, densely clustered wand-like stems. The foliage consists of lance-shaped mid-green leaves, growing directly from the stems and sparsely spaced along them. 
  • A full sun lover, Gaura thrives in sandy, loamy, well-drained soils and can survive long periods of drought. Tolerates heat, humidity, partial shade, and dry soils too!
  • Deer and rabbit resistant, Gaura attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
  • Perfect for the sunny border for its accent color and delicate texture, Gaura can also be used in containers, rock gardens, or naturalistic meadows. Stunning in small groups or large drifts.
  • Although deadheading is not necessary for continued blooming, you may want to trim back some flowering stems in mid-summer. This will encourage new flowering stems to emerge. Flowers will also be closer to the foliage and the plant will look tidier.
  • Low care, this Gaura thrives on neglect and is virtually disease and pest free
  • Unlike the species, 'Whirling Butterflies' doesn't self-seed
  • Division is not necessary and resented by the plant because Gaura grows from a thick taproot. 

Requirements

Hardiness 5
– 9

Heat Zones 5
– 9

Climate Zones 2B, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Gaura
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall
Height 2'
– 3'
(60cm
– 90cm)
Spread 1'
– 2'
(30cm
– 60cm)
Spacing 12″
– 15″
(30cm
– 37cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Prairie and Meadow