Gaura

Gaura is a clump-forming perennial native to southeastern Texas, Louisiana, and Mexico. Its botanical name changed from Gaura to Oenothera in the early 2000s, though many catalogs still list it under Gaura. It is also known as wandflower, bee blossom and white gaura.

The flowers are about ½ to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) wide, with four petals and long yellow stamens. They open from early summer until hard frost. Bees, bumblebees and butterflies visit the blooms.

Sowing. Seed can be sown in spring or fall, and plants can bloom the first year if seed is started in early spring. Gaura readily self-sows in favorable conditions and may naturalize in some areas.

Site. Choose full sun and well-drained soil; it prefers light soils but tolerates clay if drainage is good. Avoid rich soil, which encourages leafy growth, fewer flowers and floppy stems.

Propagation. Division is possible in spring, though the large root makes it difficult, and basal cuttings can be taken in summer. Many cultivars are propagated only vegetatively.

Size. Plants grow about 3 to 4 feet (91 to 122 cm) tall, and the stems can flop, so nearby plants may be needed for support.

Light and water. Grow gaura in full sun. Once established it tolerates drought, though adequate moisture gives better flowering; water and fertilize sparingly for compact growth.

Pruning. Deadheading is optional, but removing some flower stems keeps the plant tidier, encourages more blooms and reduces self-seeding. Plants can be sheared in late spring, removing up to half their height, to keep them smaller. Cut back the flower spikes in fall and remove dead foliage the following spring.

Root rot can occur in heavy, poorly drained soil. Plants may also get rust, powdery mildew, leaf spots, aphids, whiteflies and flea beetles. Deer are not known to favor it.