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Swaying white flowers of Whirling Butterflies in a summer borderPerennials

Gaura lindheimeri

Whirling Butterflies

drought-tolerantlong-floweringromantic gardenairywhite flowers

Whirling Butterflies is an elegant perennial with graceful, swaying stems adorned with butterfly-shaped white or pink flowers. Blooming non-stop from June to October, it dances beautifully in the breeze, lending an airy, romantic feel to any border.

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Before
After

Characteristics

Sun
Full sun
Water
Low
Height
60–100 cm
Spread
40–60 cm
Hardiness zone
5–9
Family
Onagraceae
Evergreen
No
Flower colors
white, pink
Wildlife value
bees, butterflies

Bloom period

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Care guide

Plant in full sun in light, well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant and needing little water once established. Avoid heavy, wet soil — this causes root rot. In cold winters, protect with a thick layer of mulch around the base.

Pruning tips

Deadhead spent flower stems regularly for extended blooming. Cut back old stems to just above ground in early spring. Do not prune in autumn — the old foliage protects the plant from frost.

Good companions

Blooming lavender with purple-blue flowers in summer sunlightShrubs

Lavandula angustifolia

English Lavender

Lavender is a beloved herb with aromatic silver-green foliage and purple-blue flower spikes. This evergreen plant blooms profusely from June to August and is remarkably drought-tolerant, attracting butterflies and bees to the garden.

Full sunLow30–60 cm
Purple-blue flower spikes of woodland sage in a sunny borderPerennials

Salvia nemorosa

Woodland Sage

Woodland Sage is a compact perennial with striking purple-blue flower spikes blooming from June to August. It attracts plenty of bees and butterflies and works well in sunny borders. Cutting back spent flower stems often triggers a second flush of blooms.

Full sunLow30–60 cm
Lavender-blue flower plumes of Russian Sage in a sunny gardenPerennials

Perovskia atriplicifolia

Russian Sage

Russian Sage is a graceful sub-shrub with silvery-grey aromatic foliage and airy lavender-blue flower plumes from July to September. The plant can reach 150 cm and gives borders a hazy, ethereal quality. Russian Sage is highly drought-tolerant and thrives on poor, dry soil.

Full sunLow90–150 cm