Whirling Butterflies. Oenothera lindheimeri, Evening Primrose Family: ( Onagraceae ), Whirling Butterflies. Also Called: Lindheimer's Beeblossom, White Gaura, Butterfly Gaura, Gaura, Pink Gaura, Lindheimer's Clockweed, Appleblossom Grass, Gaura lindheimeri. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. Gaura lindheimeri (Lindheimer's Beeblossom, White Gaura, Pink Gaura, Lindheimer's Clockweed) is a species of Gaura native to southern Louisiana and Texas. This airy and delicate herbaceous perennial sends up arching sprays of small orchid-like blooms, looking like butterflies swirling in the spring and continues to flower throughout the summer. Of course, butterflies are attracted to the blossoms. There are two varities available; a white-flowering selection called 'Whirling Butterflies', and a pink clone called 'Siskiyou Pink'. Gaura lindheimeri does well in the full sun in our middle to high deserts, but requires some afternoon protection in the hottest zones, such as Phoenix. It does well under our desert trees. This plant is a native of Texas and Mexico. White gaura grows in a loose, bushy clump 2 - 4 feet tall with a spread of 2 -3 feet. Its stems are slender and wiry, and covered with tiny hairs. The leaves are 1 - 3 inches long, with toothed margins. The flowers are produced above the foliage on erect spikes, 8 - 24 inches long. The individual flowers are about an inch across and have four reflexed petals. They are white when they open at dawn, fading to pink at the end of the day. Only a few flowers are open at any one time, and each drops off after blooming, leaving a clean, neat stalk. The butterfly-shaped flowers are balanced atop long wiry stems where the slightest breeze sets them to whirling! This is a plant for hot climates and dry soils. White gaura is tolerant of drought. It has a long taproot and requires a well-drained soil. Root rot may occur in heavy, poorly drained soils. Quick Notes: Height: Grows into in a loose mound up to about 2 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. Flowers: The flowers are white, butterfly-like flowers, about 1 inch wide, with four reflexed petals. Blooming Time: May - October. Leaves: Lance-shaped, stemless leaves 1 - 3 inches long, occasionally spotted with maroon.. Found: The USDA claims it is native to the USA (LA, TX). Also native to Chihuahua, Mexico. Elevation: 0 - 7,500 feet. Naturally at 4,500 to 7,500 Feet. Does well at lower elevations but needs water. Hardiness: We have read reports that it survives at Ellsworth, WI (Zone 4a). USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 �C (-10 �F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 �C (-5 �F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 �C (0 �F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 �C (5 �F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 �C (10 �F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F) Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) Sun Exposure: Full Sun Reflected Light Habitat: Sandy, well-drained/light soils. An ideal xeriscape garden landscape plant in Arizona. Miscellaneous: Photos Taken October 11, 2006. Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Near Superior, Arizona.

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