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More compact and floriferous than the species, the Whirling Butterflies Gaura, commonly called Wandflower by some folks, is a very hardy and easy-to-grow native perennial featuring arching red stems and pink buds that open to butterfly-shaped snow-white flowers, and butterflies love them! So do the hummingbirds and other beneficial pollinators. Flowers open on long, wand-like panicles over a long period from late spring to early or mid fall, dancing in the wind like butterflies, hence the cultivar name. Clothed in narrow lance-shaped leaves, at 2 to 3 feet tall and equally wide Whirling Butterflies is a good fit as an accent in small garden spaces and container gardens or grouping in larger borders. Very easy to grow, this plant can take the cold (-20F) and heat, blazing sun, and is drought tolerant when established. You might also be happy to know that Gaura is not on the deer or rabbit menu.

Gaura is very easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained soil of average fertility and full to mostly sun. We suggest at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for best overall performance. Established plants have very high drought tolerance, but constantly soggy soil can cause problems with the roots. Deadheading spent flowers spikes is not necessary but may encourage new growth and heavier rebloom.