Choosing a Gaura

According to height

Contrary to popular belief, Gauras can vary in height depending on the species and varieties. There are three different categories:

Small Gauras under 50 cm

Among the smallest Gauras is the variety ‘Cherry Brandy’, which reaches 40 cm. This small shrub is covered in pale pink flowers from June to September. Also note the variety ‘Lilipop Pink’, which forms a compact tuft of 40 cm and offers dark pink flowering from May to October, featuring dark, almost purple foliage. Reaching up to 45 cm in height, the variety ‘Baby Butterfly Dark Pink’ produces small purple-pink flowers. These varieties can be planted in both perennial borders and pots on the balcony.

Medium Gauras under 1 m

This size of Gaura represents the majority of species and varieties. With a height of around 60 cm, you can find ‘Passionate Blush’ and ‘Blaze’ with dark leaves and purple-pink flowers, ‘Siskiyou Pink’ with bright pink flowers, ‘Snowbird’ and ‘Snowstorm’ with very pure white blooms, and ‘Crimson Butterfly’ with dense pink flowers.
Closer to 1 metre in height, you have Gaura lindheimeri ‘Blanche’ or ‘Whirling Butterflies’ with white flowers, and ‘Corrie’s Gold’ with white flowers and variegated foliage, green edged with gold.

Large Gauras over 1 m

Ideal for flowering the back of borders, the choice of large Gauras is limited to the variety ‘Summer Breeze’, whose stems can reach up to 1.50 m. Its butterfly-shaped flowers, white veined with pink, will add volume and movement to a sunny flowerbed.

According to the colour of the flowers

Perennial Gauras offer white or pink hues. The shades and intensity can vary depending on the varieties.

White Flowering Gauras

The flowers, shaped like small butterflies, range from pure white to white tinged with pink. When the varieties ‘Blanche’, ‘Snowbird’, and ‘Snowstorm’ come alive with small pure white flowers, ‘Summer Breeze’ and ‘Whirling Butterflies’ offer a slightly pink-salmon white flowering.

Shades of white with ‘Snowstorm’ on the left and ‘Whirling Butterflies’ on the right.

Pink Flowering Gauras

You can mix varieties ranging from light pink to dark pink almost red or even variegated flowers. Embrace original flowering with ‘Cheery Brandy’ featuring pale pink flowers veined with cherry red at the centre, ‘Rosy Jane’ with bicoloured flowers white edged with carmine pink, or ‘Freefolk Rosy’ with white inflorescences edged and speckled with pale pink.
For solid pink, grow the varieties ‘Baby Butterfly Dark Pink’ or ‘Passionate Blush’ with soft pink flowers. For a brighter and more vibrant pink, choose ‘Siskiyou Pink’ or ‘Crimson Butterfly’.

Consider mixing pink Gauras and white Gauras in your borders to create waves of colour that will dance in the wind.

Play with shades of pink to brighten your garden or balcony. The varieties ‘Baby Butterfly Dark Pink’, ‘Freefolk Rosy’, and ‘Crimson Butterfly’ (from left to right).

According to the foliage

The deciduous foliage of Gauras is very elongated and fine, arranged along the flowering stems. It is mainly green, more or less marked, but unexpected varieties offer purple or variegated leaves.

The Gaura lindheimeri ‘Corrie’s Gold’ delights gardeners with its pale green foliage edged in gold. Another variegation to discover is the cream, green, and purple of the leaves of the variety ‘Freefolk Rosy’.

For purple-toned foliage, choose the varieties ‘Crimson Butterfly’ or ‘Blaze’, which vary in darkness depending on exposure.

Decorative and unexpected, combine these varieties with other perennial plants to bring originality to your borders or pots.

Pale green variegated foliage edged in gold of Gaura ‘Corrie’s Gold’.

According to the use

Gauras are perennial plants that thrive in sunny conditions and well-drained, standard soil. Flowering from June to October, they pair well with many plants and can flourish in all types of gardens (countryside, rock gardens, urban, etc.) as well as on balconies and terraces.

On a balcony, plant low varieties of Gaura such as ‘Lollipop Pink’ or ‘Baby Butterfly Dark Pink’ in a pot, and you will enjoy their abundant flowering until autumn.

In a mixed border, combine Gauras with striking Echinaceas, light-looking Perovskias, and ornamental grasses with colourful foliage. Mix heights to create a more dynamic arrangement.

In a flowerbed in front of a facade, pair Geraniums and Begonias with Gauras to contrast colours and heights, effectively filling the space.

Plant a bed for butterflies and bees with Gauras, Cosmos, Buenos Aires verbenas, and Dahlias. These nectariferous flowers will brighten up the garden all summer long.

Gauras are easy to grow. Only a pruning is necessary at the beginning of spring. Using a shear, cut the clumps back to the ground.

In a bed (photo S. Chaillot), in a pot, or as a standalone feature, Gaura enjoys all situations.

For further reading

Find our tips for successfully growing Gaura in pots and in the ground with our sheet “Gaura lindheimeri: when, where, and how to plant it?”

Are you looking for some ideas to create beautiful borders and pots? Discover our sheet “Gaura lindheimeri: 8 successful pairing ideas”

To avoid any failures, we advise you to plant appropriately; don’t hesitate to adopt our Plantfit web application!