Gaura Plants

Why grow gaura?

Gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri, if you want to get technical) is the sort of plant that looks like it's doing absolutely nothing and somehow looks stunning doing it. From early summer right through to autumn, those slender stems carry a seemingly endless succession of small, starry flowers in white or soft pink – perpetually moving in the breeze, perpetually pretty. It earns its keep.

Where to grow gaura plants

Full sun and well-drained soil is the gaura's happy place. It's remarkably drought-tolerant once established – a genuine virtue in a British summer that can't quite make up its mind – and it associates beautifully with grasses, salvias, and other airy perennials. Borders, gravel gardens, large pots: gaura obliges happily in all of them.

Care & maintenance

Cut back hard in spring and gaura will reward you with a fresh flush of growth and flowers. It's not a fan of heavy, waterlogged soil over winter, so if your garden is on the damp side, a little grit around the crown will help it through.