Gaura Lindheimeri
Family: Onograceae
Order: Myrtales
Ethnobotanical Properties: None to report
Companion Plants: Perovskia atriplicifolia, Verbena bonariensis.
Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.5 (slightly acid to slightly alkaline)
There are various plant species to be discovered upon your research; some remain a mystery until one arrives back home, scouring through those tattered plant guides until one's eyes lose focus- such as the playful Gaura Lindheimeri. This ethereal evergreen produces delicate five petaled flowers with long prominent anthers, and short flower stems -making its compact growth ideal for gardens and containers alike.
Well akin to catching ones attention, the elegant Gaura lindheimeri is tolerant of heat and drought, as well as humidity; once its (rhizome) roots are well established -which requires the occasional deep watering during extended periods of heat.
It is best grown in loamy soil, with ample drainage being an essential element to its survival. After its flowers are spent, carefully remove the spikes in order to prolong the blooming period. This sumptuous, tender perennial is easy to grow from seed, and will self sow.
Named after the German immigrant botanist Ferdinand Jacob Lindheiemer (1801-1879); a Philologist and Dressier refugee, Ferdinand was considered a medicine man by Comanche Chief Santana, for his laborious collecting of plants. This friendship was what had allowed him to travel to regions untouched by other botanists. Do you have a story to tell about the Gauras which you manage and maintain? Send us your photos here, and tell us a little about your tale of dedication, and what issues you may have run into with this specimen.
