Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’

Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’ is a showy perennial wildflower offering late spring through fall interest. More floriferous than other Gaura lindheimeri, this cultivar sets pink flower buds that unfurl into 4-petaled, snow white flowers throughout a long blooming season. Borne along thin, arching red stems, the flowers hover around the bush like butterflies, beckoning to butterflies and hummingbirds in the garden. They make airy bouquets and add delicate texture to floral arrangements.

A Gaura lindheimeri variety, commonly called gaura or beeblossom, ‘Whirling Butterflies’ is an herbaceous plant with a compact, upright, clump-forming habit of lance-shaped, stemless leaves, sometimes spotted with maroon. Shown to best effect when grouped or massed, this graceful plant creates an ethereal display in borders, mixed beds, and containers.

Easy to grow and low maintenance, Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’ prefers full sun and sandy, loamy, well-drained soils. Beeblossom tolerates heat, humidity, and some drought. It is deer and rabbit resistant and virtually disease and pest free. Deadheading spent flower spikes prolongs blooming.

A native plant, Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’ is indigenous to Texas and Louisiana. Native plants are not only beautiful but also environmentally friendly. Naturally adapted to the climate and soil conditions of the region, they thrive without fertilizers or extra watering, once established. They also act as natural pest controls, reducing the need for pesticides in the garden. Landscaping with native plants promotes biodiversity and provides shelter and quality food for wildlife and pollinators, bringing gardens to life.

The genus name, Gaura, comes from the Greek gauros, meaning “superb,” and the specific epithet honors the Texas plant collector Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer (1801-1879).