Gaura Plant Care Guide for NZ

Growing Gaura in NZ

Gaura, scientifically known as Gaura lindheimeri, is native to North America but thrives in a variety of climates, making it a perfect choice for New Zealand gardens. This hardy perennial is well-loved for its long blooming period, typically from late spring to autumn, and its ability to thrive in less-than-ideal soil conditions.

Popular Gaura Varieties

Gaura is a charming perennial prized for its delicate flowers and long bloom period. Here are some popular varieties grown in New Zealand:

• Gaura Whirling Butterflies
  Features white flowers with a soft pink blush, fluttering on slender stems like butterflies. Hardy and long-flowering.
• Gaura Siskiyou Pink
  Known for vibrant pink flowers that brighten up borders and containers. Compact and easy to grow.
• Gaura The Bride
  Classic variety with pure white blooms, ideal for mixed borders or cottage gardens.
• Gaura Ballerina Rose
  Stunning soft pink flowers that provide a graceful, airy look in garden beds.
• Gaura Sparkle White
  Clean white flowers with a delicate, sparkling appearance, excellent for low-maintenance landscaping.
• Gaura Rainbow Petite
  A compact variety with multicoloured foliage and flowers, perfect for small spaces and containers.

The Plant Company has many more Gaura varieties that are well worth checking out. Each one is accompanied with detailed information.

Characteristics of Gaura

Gaura is a graceful, long-flowering perennial native to North America, known for its delicate, butterfly-like blooms. It thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, producing airy stems with small white or pink flowers from late spring to autumn. Gaura is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, making it ideal for NZ gardens.

Key Characteristics:

• Height: 60–90 cm
• Flower colours: White, pink
• Growth habit: Upright, airy
• Flowering season: Late spring to autumn
• Soil preference: Well-drained
• Light: Full sun

Gaura Flowering

Gaura produces delicate, butterfly-like flowers from late spring through to autumn in New Zealand’s climate. Its long flowering season adds lightness and movement to gardens, with blooms ranging from white to soft pink shades. Gaura thrives in full sun, which encourages abundant flowering. Regular deadheading can extend bloom time. This hardy perennial’s graceful flowering habit makes it a popular choice for NZ gardeners wanting seasonal colour with minimal maintenance.

Gaura in Garden Design

Gaura is a popular choice in New Zealand gardens for its delicate flowers and graceful form. It offers multiple benefits that enhance garden aesthetics and functionality:

• Long flowering season from late spring to autumn
• Adds lightness and movement with airy stems
• Complements mixed borders, cottage gardens, and native plantings
• Softens hardscape elements like stone and timber
• Suitable for containers, mass plantings, or as a filler plant
• Attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies
• Drought tolerant and low maintenance
• Provides texture without overwhelming garden space

Gaura combines beauty and practicality, making it a valuable addition to any NZ garden design.

Gaura Plant Care

Gaura is a graceful perennial that brightens gardens with its delicate white or pink flowers from late spring to autumn. While it is easy to grow and drought-tolerant, there are a few things to get right so it thrives.

Watering

• Once established, Gaura is drought-tolerant but benefits from regular watering during prolonged dry periods, especially in summer. Avoid overwatering or letting the soil stay soggy, which can lead to root diseases. Mulching helps retain moisture and suppress weeds around the plant base.

Pruning and Maintenance

• Prune Gaura lightly in late winter or early spring to encourage fresh growth and maintain a compact, tidy shape. Deadheading spent flowers can prolong blooming. Gaura requires minimal maintenance and is generally pest and disease resistant, making it a low-effort plant for NZ gardens.

Fertilising

• Garden fertilizer applied in early spring is sufficient to support healthy growth and flowering. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can is not only wasteful but can cause plant injury.

Common Problems and Pests

• Gaura is typically trouble-free. Occasionally, aphids or spider mites may appear but are easily controlled with an insecticide. Good air circulation and avoiding excess moisture reduce the risk of fungal diseases.

Planting Gaura in New Zealand

When planting Gaura in New Zealand, select a location that receives full sun to partial shade. Shelter is also an important consideration so they perform at their best. Gaura thrives in well-drained soil, so if your garden soil is heavy or clay-like, Gaura may not be the best plant for your situation. However, planting it on a mound or improving the drainage will enable it to grow.

Planting Steps

• Before planting, loosen the soil to a depth of about 30 cm. Mix in compost or well-rotted manure to enhance soil fertility and soil health.
• Space Gaura plants about 60 cm apart to allow for their clumping growth habit.
• Dig a hole that is twice the size of the root ball. Place the plant in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill with soil and gently firm it around the base.
• Water the plant thoroughly after planting to help it establish.