Gaura ‘The Bride’
Gaura lindheimeri ‘The Bride’
Characteristics
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium
- Maintenance: Medium
- Flower: Showy
- Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
- Tolerates: Drought
- Resists: Deer, Rabbits
Culture
Best grown in sandy, loamy, well-drained soils in full sun. Good drainage is essential for Gaura ‘The Bride’. A tap-rooted plant which tolerates heat, humidity and some drought. Remove spent flower spikes to prolong bloom period. Thin flower stems tend to become leggy and flop, particularly when grown in rich soils, and plants can benefit from close planting or support from adjacent perennials. Gaura ‘The Bride’ plants (particularly those which typically grow tall) may be cut back in late spring by 1/2 to control size. May self-seed if spent flower stems are left in place in the fall. The dark spots that appear on their narrow leaves are normal.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Gaura lindheimeri, commonly called Gaura, is an herbaceous clump-forming perennial that is native to Texas and Louisiana. In the breeze these flowers move constantly, looking like a cloud of small butterflies.
Gaura ‘The Bride’ is a hybrid of the Texas Gaura wildflower. This exceptionally long-flowering perennial looks equally at home in an informal cottage-style garden, with naturalistic plantings or among soft grasses in a perennial border. It is particularly useful for filling in gaps and for linking other planting groups together.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Root rot may occur in heavy and/or poorly drained soils. Rust and powdery mildew may also occur. Watch for aphids, whitefly and flea beetles.
Garden Uses
Effective in sunny borders. Best in groups or massed. May be grown in containers. Good cut flower.