Gaura
For sale in Lawrenceville, GA
- Moderate
- Full Sun
- Cold hardy to USDA Zone 8a
- Deer resistant
Secure checkoutLicensed & insured installation crew
About Gaura
Gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri, formerly Gaura lindheimeri) produces delicate, airy sprays of small white-to-pink flowers on long, wiry stems that seem to hover and flutter above the foliage in the slightest breeze, giving it a butterfly-like presence that has earned it the common name Whirling Butterflies. Native to parts of the south-central and southeastern United States, it grows to 2-3 feet tall and wide and blooms nearly continuously from late spring until the first frost, one of the longest bloom seasons of any perennial suited to Georgia gardens. It is exceptionally drought tolerant once established, thriving in hot, sunny, well-drained sites, and struggles far more with soggy, poorly drained clay than with dry conditions, so a raised or well-drained bed is important in heavier Gwinnett County soil. Its light, airy texture makes Gaura an excellent filler among bolder perennials like coneflower or Russian Sage, softening a border's overall look while providing months of continuous, low-maintenance color and pollinator value.
🚚 Delivery available to Lawrenceville and all of Gwinnett County — see our service area for exact timing.
Plant Specifications
| Mature Height | 2-3 ft |
|---|---|
| Mature Width | 2-3 ft |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun |
| Water Needs | Low — very drought tolerant once established |
| Bloom Season | Late Spring through Frost |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8a |
| Deer Resistant | Yes |
| Pet Safe | Yes |
| Native to Georgia | Yes |
Planting Instructions & Regional Tips
Plant Gaura in full sun in well-drained soil; raise the bed if planting in heavy Georgia clay, since Gaura is far more prone to root rot in wet soil than to any drought-related problems. Space plants 2 feet apart. Water regularly the first season for establishment; afterward it needs very little supplemental water. Cut back by half in mid-summer if plants become leggy to encourage fresh growth and continued fall bloom.
Fast Facts
- Delicate white-to-pink flowers on wiry stems, nicknamed Whirling Butterflies
- Mature size: 2-3 ft tall and wide
- Blooms nearly continuously late spring through frost
- Highly drought tolerant, prone to rot in wet soil
- Deer resistant, good filler among bolder perennials
- Native to south-central and southeastern U.S.
Pairs Well With
Gaura FAQs
Why is my Gaura dying in wet soil?
Gaura is highly susceptible to root and crown rot in soggy, poorly drained soil, and this is a far more common cause of decline than drought, since the plant is otherwise extremely drought tolerant. In Georgia's heavy clay, plant Gaura in a raised bed or amend heavily for drainage to prevent this problem.
Is Gaura native to Georgia?
Yes, Gaura is native to Georgia and the Southeastern United States, which makes it naturally well adapted to the region's clay soils, summer humidity, and Zone 8a climate. Native status generally means less supplemental water and fertilizer are needed once the plant is established in a Lawrenceville landscape.