Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri 'Walgaupf' PINK FOUNTAIN)
Explore Gaura lindheimeri 'Walgaupf' PINK FOUNTAIN, a superb herbaceous perennial offering long pink blooms from May to September in full sun.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Gaura lindheimeri ‘Walgaupf’ PINK FOUNTAIN is a highly valued herbaceous perennial, prized for its continuous, delicate display of light pink flowers that dance in the slightest breeze, earning it the common description of butterfly-like movement. This cultivar of Gaura lindheimeri is known for its dense, upright habit, making it an excellent structural piece in sunny garden beds. It excels in warmer conditions, tolerating heat and humidity once established.
This perennial provides extended color from late spring deep into autumn, offering reliable performance where many other plants fade. The structure provided by the wiry stems contrasts beautifully with lower, mounding plants, creating dynamic texture in borders. Gardeners appreciate this Gaura for its vigorous blooming and relatively low demands, provided its drainage needs are met.
The cultivar PINK FOUNTAIN specifically offers more floriferous spikes compared to the species, ensuring a more impactful color statement throughout its long blooming season. Growing Gaura lindheimeri ‘Walgaupf’ PINK FOUNTAIN delivers both vertical interest and long-lasting floral rewards, making it a superb choice for contemporary or cottage garden designs.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Onagraceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-3 ft
- Spread: 2-3 ft
- Bloom Time: May to September
- Bloom Description: Pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
The key to successfully growing Gaura lindheimeri ‘Walgaupf’ PINK FOUNTAIN lies in ensuring excellent soil conditions, particularly good drainage. This taprooted plant thrives best when situated in sandy, loamy, well-drained soils. Plant in spring or fall, ensuring it receives full sun exposure throughout the day to promote the best flowering and maintain a compact habit.
Water requirements are medium; once established, this Gaura demonstrates considerable drought tolerance, suitable for hot, humid summers. Avoid heavy, rich soils, as they encourage weak, floppy growth, making the thin flower stems prone to lodging. If the stems become leggy or flop, consider planting them closer together or providing subtle structural support from adjacent perennials.
Maintenance involves routine deadheading; removing spent flower spikes regularly will significantly prolong the continuous bloom period stretching from May to September. In late spring, if size control is needed, you may cut back plants by half, especially taller specimens. While the species may self-seed, this specific cultivar, Gaura lindheimeri ‘Walgaupf’ PINK FOUNTAIN, will not come true if collected seeds are sown.
Landscape Uses
Gaura lindheimeri ‘Walgaupf’ PINK FOUNTAIN excels when featured in sunny borders where its airy perennial structure can be fully appreciated. Its height and fine texture make it an outstanding choice for the middle or back of perennial plantings, bridging lower groundcovers with taller shrubs. For maximum visual impact, planting in groups or massed creates waves of delicate pink motion as the wind moves through the garden.
This plant functions well as an attractive specimen in containers, particularly when paired with contrasting, mounding foliage plants or dramatic, dark-leafed varieties. When designing borders, consider pairing the height of the Gaura with silvery foliage plants or plants that enjoy sharp drainage, such as Sedum or Russian Sage. The light pink flowers offer excellent contrast against deep purple or blue companions near the front of the border.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
The genus name Gaura comes from the Greek gauros meaning “superb” in reference to the beautiful flowers. Specific epithet honors Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer (1801-1879), Texas plant collector. PINK FOUNTAIN features 4-petaled, light pink flowers in wand-like panicles on dense, upright plants typically growing to 2-3’ tall. Flowers open a few at a time and dance in the wind like butterflies over a long late spring to autumn bloom period.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Root rot is a significant risk if Gaura is subjected to heavy or poorly drained soils; ensuring sharp drainage is the best preventative measure. Inspect foliage periodically for signs of fungal issues like rust or powdery mildew, which can sometimes occur, especially if air circulation is restricted. Common pests needing monitoring include aphids, whitefly, and flea beetles, though severe infestations are generally uncommon on healthy plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Gaura suitable for?
Gaura lindheimeri ‘Walgaupf’ PINK FOUNTAIN is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 9.
How large does Gaura grow?
This cultivar typically reaches a height between 2 and 3 feet and spreads to a similar width of 2 to 3 feet.
What sun exposure does Gaura need?
For optimal performance and prolific blooming, ensure the planting location receives full sun every day.
When does Gaura bloom?
You can anticipate continuous blooming from this Gaura from May all the way through September.
Conclusion
The reliable, near-constant bloom and robust nature of Gaura lindheimeri ‘Walgaupf’ PINK FOUNTAIN make it an essential component for sunny, low-to-medium maintenance gardens. Its airy form softens sharp lines in the landscape, providing continuous kinetic beauty throughout the summer months. Before planting, always confirm that your site offers the necessary full sun and excellent drainage required for this superb Gaura variety to thrive.
Companion Planting
Selecting appropriate companions is crucial when styling borders using Gaura. Because Gaura lindheimeri ‘Walgaupf’ PINK FOUNTAIN requires sharp drainage and full sun, it pairs beautifully with other xeric-tolerant perennials. Consider pairing it with plants that offer contrasting texture or color, such as spiky ornamental grasses like Sporobolus or plants with silvery foliage like Artemisia. In containers, use upright herbs or trailing petunias to create a balanced composition around the upright wands of pink flowers.
Design Ideas
The ephemeral quality of the Gaura bloom makes it an excellent choice for modernizing cottage gardens. Instead of rigid formality, use this plant for movement and vertical accents. For a naturalistic drift effect, stagger plantings of Gaura lindheimeri ‘Walgaupf’ PINK FOUNTAIN throughout a sunny meadow planting scheme. Place shorter, dense perennials in front to anchor the scene, allowing the thin stems of the Gaura to rise above them like a fountain of pink light against a backdrop of stone or fencing.
