What Are the Benefits of Growing Gaura?

An ornamental accent plant, guara (Gaura lindheimeri) is cultivated for its small, charming sprays of white flowers, which begin as pinkish buds. In less highly stylized gardens, gaura adds a note of wildness, because its small flowers open slowly and over a long period of time, lending an open, informal look.

Gaura is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 10, though it may grow as far south as zone 11. It is perennial in most of these climates, though at the extreme northern end of this hardiness range, it may function rather as a self-seeding annual. It is also known as wand flower (for its long flower stems), butterfly flower (for the shape of its flower) and bee blossom.

The informal growth habit, though it turns some gardeners off, is why others love gaura. Common gaura (Gaura lindheimeri), which typically grows to a height of between 3 and 5 feet and spreads to 1 or 2 feet, is a loosely formed perennial shrub. The plant is clump-forming and somewhat wiry, and its flowers bloom sparsely, giving it the overall look of a wildflower.

Gaura blooms later in the season than most plants, its white blossoms opening slowly over the period of August to October. Blossoms, whose pink buds form on upthrust stems, open a few at a time, starting out white and fading to a pinkish color before withering. When it is warmer, flowers will remain white longer. Removing spent flower heads will prolong the blooming time. Small, angular fruits, about 3/16 inches, follow.

Gaura needs almost no attention in the garden. Because flower stems often become leggy and flop, plants benefit from growing closely with other plants for support. Rich soils tend to increase this chance, so you can also grow plants in soils with slightly lower fertility. Though the plants do not need much maintenance -- sandy soils, light watering, no fertilizer -- they do benefit from a hard prune down to 10 inches or so at the beginning of the growing season.