Gaura lindheimeri Rosy Jane

The Gaura lindheimeri Rosy Jane is an enchanting plant that boasts numerous small two-toned flowers. The flowers are white with a carmine pink edge, creating a vibrant and colourful display that is truly captivating. The show begins in spring when the plant is coloured purple. As the young foliage turns bronze, it transforms into dark green by June. Towards the end of the season, the plant turns a brilliant crimson due to the cold. Gauras are beautiful, simple, undemanding, and highly floriferous plants. They thrive in sunny, dry, and chalky soils, ideal for gardens and pots.

The Gaura lindheimeri Rosy Jane 'Harrosy' is a member of the Evening Primrose family and is closely related to evening primroses. This variety of Gaura lindheimeri is native to the Prairies and pine forests of Louisiana and Texas, Houston, located on the border between Mexico and the United States. Although it has a short lifespan, it is one of the most floriferous plants. 'Rosy Jane' has an upright tufted habit and is supported by strong stems. It is beneficial to pinch them 2 or 3 times during spring to maintain a balanced plant habit. The plant forms a tuft of 70-80 cm (27.6 - 31.5 in) in height, with a spread of 40-50 cm (15.7 - 19.7 in) from a basal rosette. It is the numerous flowering stems that give the plant its bushy appearance. The flowering takes place in successive waves, from mid-spring to autumn. The 2 cm (0.8 in) long flowers with 4 petals resembling butterflies follow one another. They are white, with a wide carmine pink border and deep pink undersides of the petals. The foliage changes colour throughout the seasons, starting bronze, turning green, and then reddish-purple in October. These tiny leaves are hairy on both sides. The plant's taproot system anchors itself in poor, even rocky soil.

Gauras have rapidly become popular for urban flower beds and gardens due to their abundant floral displays and rapid growth. These plants are resilient to wind and quickly become necessary for those who have tried them for a year. They add a sense of lightness and grace wherever they are planted and combine beautifully with grasses. Gaura lindheimeri 'Rosy Jane' is a perfect addition to herbaceous borders and beds, pairs well with roses, abelias and deutzias, and looks beautiful when combined with perennials like asters and nepetas. Additionally, they are suitable for large pots.

Note: The species name comes from the Greek word 'gauros' which means magnificent and proud. The name alludes to the plant's astonishing flowers that resemble butterflies hanging from its stems.