Gaura

It's easy to see why Gaura lindheimeri holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit. With it’s slender, arching stems tipped with panicles of rosy pink buds opening to reveal white flowers, this plant blooms over an incredibly long period. The delicate flowers attract pollinating insects to the garden and bring movement to borders with its loose, wafty habit.

Sow seed indoors February to April on the surface of a good free draining, seed compost. Cover with a fine sprinkling of vermiculite. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a polythene bag until after germination. Keep compost moist, but not wet, at all times, water lightly as seedlings emerge. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into 9cm pots and continue to grow on indoors in cooler conditions.

Acclimatise to outside conditions before planting out after all risk of frost, 30cm apart.

Grow Gaura plants in a sunny position on moist, well drained soil. Although Gauras prefer full sun and a moist soil, they will also tolerate partial shade and drought once established. Feed and water regularly throughout the growing season until Gaura plants are fully established.



TOP TIP

Gauras are easy as long as you remember that they are prairie plants from a warm place, mulching helps to protect from severe winters.

In autumn, cut back faded Gaura flower stems and apply a mulch of well rotted manure to the base of the plant. Divide clumps of overcrowded plants in spring, although mature gauras do not move well.