syn: White Gaura, Lindheimer's Beeblossom, Butterfly Bush
Gaura lindheimeri So White
$8.00
Gaura lindheimeri ‘So White’, also known as White Gaura or Lindheimer’s Beeblossom, is a flowering perennial known for its delicate, pure white, butterfly-like flowers that bloom from late spring through autumn. It forms a vase-shaped clump, reaching about 60cm tall and wide, with narrow, green, lance-shaped leaves that may be tinged red. ‘So White’ is relatively low-maintenance, drought-tolerant once established, and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Gaura lindheimeri ‘So White’, also known as ‘Butterfly Bush’, is a popular perennial for New Zealand gardens, known for its profuse, white, butterfly-like flowers on slender stems. It thrives in full sun with free-draining soil and is relatively drought-tolerant once established. This plant is low-maintenance and can be a great addition to various garden styles, including cottage gardens, rock gardens, and naturalistic plantings.
Cultivation Tips:
Sunlight: Gaura ‘So White’ needs full sun to thrive and flower abundantly.
Soil: Well-drained soil is essential. Sandy or loamy soil is ideal.
Watering: Water well when first planted until established. It is drought-tolerant once established, requiring less watering during the hotter months and even less in winter.
Fertilizing: A slow-release general fertilizer can be used when planting, and an organic fertilizer like blood and bone can be applied in the spring.
Planting: Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball, amend the soil with compost and sheep pellets, and firm the plant in, watering well.
Pruning: While not essential, deadheading spent flowers or trimming back stems in mid-summer can encourage new growth and a more compact shape. Pruning in late winter or early spring, cutting back to 6-12 inches, will promote bushiness.
Propagation: Gaura plants can be propagated from seed (although seedlings may not be true to the parent) or by taking softwood or semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Division: Gaura plants resent division due to their thick taproot. They are better propagated from seed or cuttings.
Pest and Diseases: Gaura ‘So White’ is generally pest and disease-free.
Additional Notes:
Gaura ‘So White’ is known for attracting butterflies and bees.
It is a hardy plant that can tolerate heat, humidity, and some drought.
While the flowers appear delicate, the plant itself is quite robust.
In milder climates, it may remain evergreen, but in cooler areas, it will be deciduous in winter.
