PerennialsGaura lindheimeri
Whirling Butterflies
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.
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
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
ShrubsLavandula 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.
PerennialsSalvia 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.
PerennialsPerovskia 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.