Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri 'Crimson Butterflies')
Gaura lindheimeri 'Crimson Butterflies' offers hot pink blooms from May to September. This compact Gaura thrives in full sun and sandy soils.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Gaura lindheimeri ‘Crimson Butterflies’ is a superb herbaceous perennial choice, beloved for its long-blooming habit and striking coloration. This cultivar provides continuous visual interest as its hot pink flowers appear to flutter in the breeze, earning its evocative name. As a compact form of Gaura, it refines the species’ natural elegance into a manageable size perfect for modern landscapes.
This variety is highly valued because it tolerates considerable heat, humidity, and periods of drought once established, making it a reliable performer through the summer months. The visual appeal is enhanced by foliage that often emerges crimson, contrasting beautifully with the bright blooms. Gardeners appreciate the reliability of Gaura lindheimeri ‘Crimson Butterflies’ for adding airy texture and vibrant color to sunny garden beds.
While the original Gaura species can grow quite tall, the ‘Crimson Butterflies’ cultivar remains short and dense, forming a tidy mound ideal for edging or mixed containers. Its presence transforms a dull border into a dynamic space, offering color from late spring straight into autumn. Enjoying full sun is key to maximizing both the foliage color and its extended flower production throughout the season.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Onagraceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-1.5 ft
- Spread: 0.5-1 ft
- Bloom Time: May to September
- Bloom Description: Hot pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
The best results for Gaura lindheimeri ‘Crimson Butterflies’ are achieved when planted in well-drained, preferably sandy or loamy, soil. Good drainage is absolutely essential; a taprooted plant like Gaura will quickly suffer from root rot in heavy, waterlogged conditions. Plant this desirable cultivar during the spring after the danger of frost has passed, ensuring it receives maximum direct sunlight for the best flower performance.
Watering needs are moderate. While Gaura tolerates dry spells once established, consistent moisture during establishment ensures healthy root development. Avoid overhead watering if possible, as foliage consistently staying wet can invite fungal issues. Fertilizing should be used sparingly, as rich soils can encourage the thin stems to become leggy and prone to flopping.
Maintenance for this Gaura is relatively simple. To encourage a prolonged bloom period, actively remove spent flower spikes throughout the season. If the plant does become leggy, especially if grown in richer soil, consider planting it close to structural neighbors or providing adjacent support. Larger varieties may benefit from being cut back by half in late spring to control height, though this compact cultivar usually requires less intervention.
Landscape Uses
Gaura lindheimeri ‘Crimson Butterflies’ excels when placed where its delicate structure can shine. It is highly effective in sunny borders, where its airy habit prevents the edge from looking heavy or dense. Plant these gems in generous groups or mass plantings; this practice helps support their thin stems naturally, mitigating any tendency to flop while maximizing the visual impact of the hot pink blooms.
Beyond traditional borders, this compact Gaura thrives in containers and patio arrangements. Place it alongside more structured plants like upright grasses or mounding sedums to create textural contrast. Because it handles heat and sun so well, it pairs beautifully with Mediterranean herbs or drought-tolerant salvias in a hot, sunny landscape setting.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
The genus name Gaura derives from the Greek word gauros, meaning “superb,” due to its beautiful flowers. The specific epithet honors the Texas plant collector Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer. ‘Crimson Butterflies’ is a special compact cultivar, discovered as an open-pollinated seedling variant, noted for its hot pink blooms on short racemes and its distinctive crimson developing foliage. The flowers are reported to dance visually in the wind, inspiring its charming popular name.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Root rot is a significant concern if Gaura lindheimeri ‘Crimson Butterflies’ is planted in heavy or poorly draining soils, emphasizing the need for sandy amendments. Fungal issues like rust and powdery mildew may occasionally develop, often exacerbated by overhead watering or poor air circulation. Horticultural pests such as aphids, whitefly, and flea beetles are occasional visitors that should be monitored, especially as the plant matures.
Management focuses heavily on cultural success: ensure excellent drainage to prevent rot. If mildew appears, improve air movement or treat affected areas with fungicide. For insect pests, a strong jet of water or insecticidal soap is usually sufficient to control minor infestations on your Gaura.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Gaura lindheimeri ‘Crimson Butterflies’ suitable for?
This herbaceous perennial is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 8, offering a long season of performance across these regions.
How large does Gaura typically grow?
Gaura lindheimeri ‘Crimson Butterflies’ forms a compact mound, reaching a height between 1 to 1.5 feet and spreading about 0.5 to 1 foot wide.
When does Gaura lindheimeri ‘Crimson Butterflies’ bloom?
This variety provides exceptional color, typically blooming reliably from May all the way through September, showcasing its signature hot pink flowers.
What sun exposure does Gaura need?
For optimum health and abundant blooms, Gaura requires full sun exposure throughout the day.
Conclusion
Gaura lindheimeri ‘Crimson Butterflies’ is an outstanding choice for gardeners seeking reliable, extended color in hot, sunny locations. Its airy habit, combined with hot pink blooms that dance in the breeze, adds irresistible movement to any planting scheme. Before planting, confirm your local conditions fall within USDA Zones 5-8 and ensure your soil guarantees excellent drainage to best utilize this superb cultivar.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for Gaura lindheimeri ‘Crimson Butterflies’, focus on plants with similar sun and soil requirements—namely, full sun and well-drained soil. Pairing it with plants of contrasting textures, such as the fine foliage of Stipa tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass) or the bolder texture of ornamental sages, creates visual intrigue. Consider using drought-tolerant perennials like Sedum, Lavender, or Yarrow which thrive in the same bright, drier conditions that Gaura prefers.
Propagation Tips
While desirable for its compact form, gardeners should be aware that this cultivar will not come true from seed, usually producing offspring with green foliage instead of true crimson. Therefore, propagation of Gaura lindheimeri ‘Crimson Butterflies’ is best achieved asexually, typically through division or cuttings. Dividing crowded clumps in early spring before new growth significantly emerges can refresh older plants and create new, identical specimens for other areas of the garden.
