NICE! Plant of the Month
(Gaura lindheimeri)
Description:
Gaura lindheimeri is an interesting native perennial that grows 2-3 feet tall, but can get much taller in rich soils. It produces tall, slender and almost leafless flower stems above the body or basal leaves of the plant. When blown by the wind, its fragrant flowers seem to float off of the stems, resembling butterflies in flight. The blooms are light pink to white and measure about 1 inch across. The individual flowers are short-lived, but Gaura bloom prolifically from spring to fall. Gaura grows in clumps with a taproot-type root system and self sows. It is deciduous. There are other species of Gaura native to the Texas Hill Country including G. calcicola, G. coccinea, and G. suffulta. G. lindheimeri is the most common species available in nurseries.
Deer Resistance:
Gaura lindheimeri is generally thought to be resistant to browsing by deer, but may be subject to damage under severe conditions. It will grow back very well after deer damage, especially if given supplemental water.
Planting Sites:
Plant in well-drained sites in full sun to light shade. Soil type may be sand, loam, clay, or limestone. May be used as a single accent plant, or as a mass planting to emphasize the butterfly blooms.
Planting Instructions:
Dig hole at least 2 times wider than, but the same depth as the root ball in the nursery container. Carefully remove the plant from its container, taking care not to break the root ball. Loosen exterior roots, if root bound. Plant at the same depth as the soil in the container. Do not add any soil to the top of the root ball. Adding a layer of 3-4 inches of mulch after planting is desirable. Space plants 2-3 feet apart.
Watering Instructions:
Water in well after planting, using root stimulator according to directions. Repeat watering a few days after planting. Water deeply every 7-10 days, checking an inch or two into soil at edge of root ball to determine soil moisture. Skip a watering after a rainfall of ½ to 1. Maintain this watering schedule until the first fall after planting. Reduce water during fall and winter. In a “normal” year, no watering may be necessary in fall and winter, but during a dry period, monthly watering may be desirable. From the second spring and thereafter, water monthly only in periods of drought. Once established, Gaura will survive with little supplemental irrigation, but may benefit from periodic watering during periods of diminished rainfall.
Other care:
Cut back Gaura after it freezes. The clumps may be divided and moved in the fall. Removal of stems after the flowers are spent will increase the numbers of flowers it will produce.
NICE! Tip:
For summer color, plant Gaura instead of annuals such as snapdragons or marigolds, or instead of non-native perennials. Use Gaura with other native plants such as scarlet sage and Gulf muhly.
Look for the NICE! Plant of the Month signs and information sheets on your next visit to a participating Boerne nursery. And thank you for supporting native plants by using them in your landscapes.
