PlantFiles: Appleblossom Grass
Gaura lindheimeri

A North American wildflower that will bloom from early summer into fall. This graceful, bushy plant is very drought and heat tolerant. It prefers full sun and well drained soil. A pruning in mid-summer will keep the Guara from getting leggy and floppy while encouraging more blooms. Blooming will continue if old flower spikes are removed. It will grow to a height of 2-4 ft. and a spread of 2-3ft. Butterflies are attracted to these plants.

I have 3 Gauras each in a 3-gallon urn. This is their 2nd year to bloom and they look fabulous. I left the urns out all winter, even through a couple of ice storms. I only watered them about once each month from December to February. The foliage came back in March and they have been blooming for about a week now (mid-April).

I purchased 2 of these plants for a "dead spot" in my garden bed, where it would receive afternoon sun. They are doing absolutely wonderful - filled with blooms.

My granddaughter likes to look at (and pick) my flowers, so I always try to have something new when she comes to visit. Easter weekend was her first visit of the year and I showed her my "butterfly" plant. Her response was, "Mama, you're right! If you turn the flower this way, it does look like a butterfly!!" What a great way to enjoy this plant and your grandchildren all at the same time!!!

I was positive about this plant in its early years, but have found they 'migrate' in the garden bed by their roots and as the plants age they have less flowers and become harder to remove. I have some that have got under some paving and have to date beaten my attempts to get rid of them.

A shrubby perennial plant that thrives in a sunny spot. This plant can thrive for years with very, very little attention. Plants bloom in summer. Heat and humidity tolerant.

Graceful and winsome. Plant this up close to the path since it is a "see-through" plant.
Requires excellent drainage or will rot over winter. Self-seeds a little if not deadheaded. Resents root disturbance and never needs dividing.

I wouldn't give this plant a negative because its not that bad. But I wouldn't give it a positive. This is a fairly unimpressive plant with sparse small flowers. Better for a wild flower garden than a garden where flowers/plants should be showstoppers. :)

nice in mass plantings. does not mind root disturbance at all and it is very easy to propagate. when i moved my gaura, i stuck the shovel right through the thick tap root and placed it in its new home, covered it with a little dirt and then watered it a little. it quickly recovered and in about 4 months, was covered in blooms.

to propagate, take thick base cuttings and place them in water. they should begin to root within a few weeks.

jd

I bought two Guara late in the Fall of 2004 and thought they would fail overwintering. Instead, they have flourished in well-mulched, fast draining soil (clay!!) and each plant grew to 2+ feet in the first growing season and bloomed profusely. They are each near a south facing brick wall. They seem to love the heat. On March 15, 2005, they were buried under 8 inches of snow and didn't seem to mind. And again on May 2nd (seriously) they were under a few inches of snow and didn't seem the least bit affected.

Constant bloomer until forst--small flowers but makes a good filler for the butterfly/hummer garden.

With some trial and error, I found that planting it up against the foundation on the south and west side of house it will survive hardiness zone 5a (McHenry Co. IL). Starting out at quart size did best. For the last 4 years it has come back fuller each year, grows at least 3 ft. wands and blooms until a freeze. Away from the foundation it was more like an annual. Beautiful plant, not invasive/ never reseeds here. Low maintenance, cut back after freeze, put and inch or two of mulch on top and forget about it- new growth in spring grows through it. Did well during drought also.

Love this plant! It's light and airy and goes great with large leaved companions. Although it's hardy to zone 6, I have had mine come back consistently in zone 4 w/ no cover, and it even made some volunteers.