Welcome to Modern Agriculture!
Gaura are pretty, deciduous perennials, that look great in cottage garden style or informal plantings. Gauras have a relaxed habit with small starry flowers in white or pink, appearing from early summer right through to autumn. They are good for filling gaps and can also be grown in containers, in an informal combination with grasses and trailing plants.
Take a look at our handy Gaura Grow Guide, below.
Gauras are prarie plants native to the southern states of the USA and Mexico and need a warm sunny position. They tolerate partial shade and need moist but well drained soil.
Dig a generous hole adding in a handful grit and well-rotted compost to improve drainage. Don’t plant out too early – grow on in pots and add to borders later on in July when plants are bushier.
You can sow seed of gauras in spring, or take softwood or semi-ripe cuttings. Make bushy plants but trimming cuttings regularly.
Gauras are generally pest and disease free.
Gauras don’t need a lot of maintenance. Cut back and divide congested clumps in spring, but don’t try moving more mature plants as they don’t transition very successfully. Don’t worry if dark spots appear on leaves as this is quite normal. In autumn foliage often turns lovely shades of red in colder weather.
