Whirling butterflies Oenothera lindheimeri
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Gaura lindheimeri
- Phonetic Spelling
- ee-no-THEE-ruh lind-HY-mer-ee
- Description
-
White gaura is a native clump-forming herbaceous perennial of Texas and Lousiana and is found in prairies, pinelands and pond edges. It blooms with white to pink flowers during the summer till frost.
It needs well-drained soils to prevent root rot and does best in sandy loam in full sun. Soil that is too rich will cause leaf growth and less flowering. The taproot helps make it drought and heat tolerant. Use this plant in naturalized areas so it can spread by rhizomes and seeds. Attracts pollinators.
Cultivars are available with pink blooms and compact varieties and may be better for use in gardens.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Lake Wall Garden Patio Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
-
'Belleza'
- 'Passionate Blush'
Compact, heavy bloomer with pink flowers - 'Passionate Rainbow'
Compact, pink blooms, variegated leaves
'Siskiyou Pink'
- 'Sparkle White'
- 'Walgaupf'
Shorter, pink flowers - 'Whirling Butterflies'
White sterile blooms
Dark pink, light pink, white flowers, compact
Rose pink flowers - 'Passionate Blush'
- 'Belleza', 'Passionate Blush', 'Passionate Rainbow', 'Siskiyou Pink', 'Sparkle White', 'Walgaupf', 'Whirling Butterflies'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
-
'Belleza'
- 'Passionate Blush'
Compact, heavy bloomer with pink flowers - 'Passionate Rainbow'
Compact, pink blooms, variegated leaves
'Siskiyou Pink'
- 'Sparkle White'
- 'Walgaupf'
Shorter, pink flowers - 'Whirling Butterflies'
White sterile blooms
Dark pink, light pink, white flowers, compact
Rose pink flowers - 'Passionate Blush'
- 'Belleza', 'Passionate Blush', 'Passionate Rainbow', 'Siskiyou Pink', 'Sparkle White', 'Walgaupf', 'Whirling Butterflies'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Oenothera
- Species:
- lindheimeri
- Family:
- Onagraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- LA, TX
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts pollinators. Moderately deer resistant.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Drought and heat
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Open
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are white, fading to light pink, which blooms from summer through fall. Only a few flowers are open on the stalks at one time. They have 4 petals with the petals being on the upward side and long conspicuous stamens.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Lance-shaped leaves are 1-3 inches long and .5 inch wide with fine hairs and coarsely toothed margins. They are in a basal rosette and also grow up the stems. May have some maroon markings.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Wiry green stems
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Rock Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Heat
