Moana Nursery High Desert Plant Finder & Guide
perennial

Butterfly Gaura

Gaura lindheimeri

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Butterfly Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri) at Moana Nursery

Butterfly Gaura flowers

Butterfly Gaura flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Butterfly Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri) at Moana Nursery

Butterfly Gaura flowers

Butterfly Gaura flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Plant Height:  18 inches

Flower Height:  3 feet

Spacing:  15 inches

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  4

Ornamental Features

Butterfly Gaura features dainty spikes of white star-shaped flowers with pink overtones rising above the foliage from early summer to early fall, which emerge from distinctive rose flower buds. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its narrow leaves remain green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Butterfly Gaura is an open herbaceous perennial with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Butterfly Gaura is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • General Garden Use
  • Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Butterfly Gaura will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity extending to 3 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 18 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 15 inches apart. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 8 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in both summer and winter to conserve soil moisture and protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is native to parts of North America.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Garden  Naturalizing 
Applications
Flowers  Texture  Attracts Wildlife 
Ornamental Features