Gaura lindheimeri Steffi White

Gaura lindheimeri Steffi White is a brand new variety from the Steffi series, developed for its compact and balanced habit, rapid growth and abundant flowers. Its pure white flowers stand out nicely against beautiful dark green foliage, which remains intact and does not get damaged. Regardless of the soil's richness or moistness it continuously blooms for 5 months, producing a multitude of pure white flowers evenly distributed from top to bottom of its green stems. Resistant to rain, wind, limestone and drought, gauras are unmatched in bringing lightness and movement to sunny borders, even in soils that are mediocre and dry in summer.

Lindheimer's Gaura belongs to the Onagraceae family and is a cousin of evening primroses. The natural range of Gaura lindheimeri is located on the borders of Mexico and the United States (prairies and warm pine forests of Louisiana and Texas, Houston). It is a short-lived perennial plant in cool and fertile soil, but it is one of the most floriferous. The 'Steffi White' selection produces compact vegetation, which comes alive in the wind. Like all white-flowered varieties, it is quite hardy and can withstand temperatures of around -15°C (5°F) in well-drained soil. This perennial forms a bushy clump from a basal rosette, with a weakly spreading habit, 45-50 cm (18-20in) tall, with a spread of about 50 cm (20in). It is the branched floral stems, very numerous and thin, that give the plant its bushy appearance. Flowering takes place in successive waves from mid-spring to autumn. The flowers, with 4 spread petals centred on a cluster of long flexible stamens, resemble all-white butterflies. They are grouped in panicles 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16in) long. In spring the branches bear apple green shoots. These unfold into elongated leaves like those of willows, with a dark green colour on the lamina. These small leaves are hairy on both sides. The root system is a taproot that allows the plant to anchor itself in mediocre or even rocky soils.

Gauras have quickly become the stars of urban flower beds and gardens. This success can be explained by their incredible floriferousness and the speed at which they grow. These plants, which seem impervious to bad weather, quickly become indispensable for those who have enoyed them over a season. Wherever they are planted they bring lightness, volume and a lot of grace. Gaura lindheimeri Steffi White, both elegant and understated, is essential in a white garden. It has a place in the background of herbaceous borders or beds. It goes well with roses, grows among shrubs like abelias and deutzias, accompanies undemanding perennials like daylilies or german iris, which it lightens, and combines with catmints, scabious, Asclepias Ice Ballet and Oenothera versicolor. Gaura also thrives in large pots and balcony planters. Its flowers add a very refined touch to bouquets.

Note: Please note that our young plug plants are professional products for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them under shelter (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks, before installing them outdoors once the all risk of frost has passed.