Lindheimer’s beeblossom (Oenothera lindheimeri) is a perennial plant native to the Louisiana and Texas regions of the United States. The Latin name for this species was formerly Gaura lindheimeri. Lindheimer’s beeblossom is commonly grown as an ornamental plant in pots or flower beds. The plant grows well in full sunlight and can withstand drought conditions.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Oenothera lindheimeri, commonly known as Lindheimer’s beeblossom, white gaura, pink gaura, Lindheimer’s clockweed, and Indian feather, is a species of Oenothera. Several of its common names derive from the genus Gaura, in which this species was formerly placed.
The perennial plant is native to southern Louisiana and Texas. The specific epithet is after Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer, a German-born botanist who collected extensively in Texas for Harvard University professor Asa Gray. It is commonly grown as an ornamental plant.
Oenothera lindheimeri is a perennial herbaceous plant growing to 50 to 150 centimeters (20–60 in) tall, with densely clustered branched stems growing from an underground rhizome. The leaves are finely hairy, lanceolate, 1 to 9 cm (1⁄2–3+1⁄2 in) long and 1 to 13 mm (1⁄16–1⁄2 in) broad, with a coarsely toothed margin.
The flowers are produced on a 10-to-80-centimeter-long (5–30 in) inflorescence; they are pink or white, 2 to 3 cm (3⁄4–1+1⁄4 in) in diameter, with four petals 10 to 15 mm (3⁄8–5⁄8 in) long and long hairlike stamens, and are produced from the beginning of spring until the first frost.
Oenothera lindheimeri is commonly grown as an ornamental plant. It is used in either garden beds or pots for accent color and a delicate texture. It grows best in full sun and can survive lengthy periods of drought.
Several cultivars have been selected for varying flower color, from nearly pure white in ‘Whirling Butterflies’ to darker pink in ‘Cherry Brandy’ and ‘Siskiyou Pink’. In some, the petals are white at dawn then turning pink before falling off at dusk.
Although a perennial rated USDA Zone 5(6)-9 for hardiness it may not overwinter reliably, and is often treated as an annual outside its native areas. In colder climates a heavy winter mulch is necessary.
This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
II. How to Grow and Care
Gaura is a low-maintenance plant that is a good choice for novice gardeners.
Sunlight
Lindheimer’s beeblossom enjoys a lot of light (at least 8 hours a day) and should be cultivated under full sun, but it can also withstand partial shade. Well-ventilated, sunny areas in the courtyard are optimal for planting lindheimer’s beeblossom. If it is too shaded, the plant will grow poorly and produce fewer flowers. If cultivated indoors, it is important to pick the sunniest spot for your plant.
Temperaturre
Lindheimer’s beeblossom is very tolerant of cold and can withstand temperatures down to -20 ℃. Its optimal temperature for growth is 18 to 24 ℃. Temperatures above 27 ℃ are not favorable, as lindheimer’s beeblossom is not well-adapted to withstand prolonged, intense heat.
Lindheimer’s beeblossom prefers a dry-to-medium humid environment and is tolerant of drought. The soil should not be too dry during cultivation, especially if the aim is to encourage the plant to grow vigorously and produce numerous flowers. Lindheimer’s beeblossom doesn’t tolerate waterlogging, so the well-draining substrate is very important.
Watering
Lindheimer’s beeblossom is drought tolerant and can be used for xeriscaping (landscaping without irrigation). It does not tolerate water logging or excess moisture in the soil. If the plant is potted, it should be watered deeply once a week. Be careful not to water the plant too often if it’s planted in a pot; excess moisture in the soil encourages root rot.
If the plant is cultivated outdoors, it should be watered deeply after planting in the spring to promote growth, and only occasionally during the summer (when the days are too dry and hot). Natural precipitation provides enough water during the rest of the year.
Soil
Along with plenty of sunshine, excellent drainage is the key to success with gaura. They aren’t the longest-lived perennials in any case, and wet winter soil will kill these drought-tolerant natives. Amend the soil with a mix of compost and grit or, better yet, plant them in raised beds. Space the plants at least 12 inches apart, and plant in groups of three or five plants for maximum impact.
Fertilizing
Lindheimer’s beeblossom isn’t that demanding when it comes to fertilization. It can grow even in poor soil. If you want to encourage your plant to grow and flower vigorously, mix organic fertilizer and humus with the substrate before planting. Topdressing is usually not required during the growing season. To promote flowering, apply liquid fertilizer with a high ratio of phosphorus and potassium every half a month.
Pruning
Lindheimer’s beeblossom should be cut back to the ground after the leaves dry in late fall. This promotes vigorous growth and abundant new foliage in the spring. Cutting back can also be performed after the winter, during the first days of spring. Proper pruning reduces the probability of pests and diseases in the following year.
Propagation
Gaura can be propagated from seed or cuttings. Since many gaura varieties are hybrids, propagating from seeds that you have collected yourself—or any seedlings that emerge from these self-seeding plants—will not produce the same results as the mother plant and won’t potentially be as attractive. Division is tricky due to the long taproot, and plants do not need dividing to stay vigorous. Propagation from cuttings is the way to go. Here’s how it’s done:
- With a sharp knife or pruners, cut off about five 4-inch shoots that are growing from the base of the stem. Cut them off as close to the crown as possible without damaging it.
- Fill a 4- to 6-inch pot with potting mix and slowly water it until it is evenly moist and water starts to drip out of the drain holes. Gently push the cuttings into the soil about 1 inch deep.
- Place the pot in a protected location out of sunlight and winds. Keep the soil moist at all times, watering daily. It can take up to two months for new growth to appear.
- Transplant each of the young plants into an individual pot of the same size and let them grow until they fill their pots, then transplant them into larger pots or in your yard.
How to Grow From Seed
You can start gaura from seed in cell flats indoors or direct seed them in the garden. The seeds need light to germinate so do not cover them. Germination at 70 degrees F will take 21 to 35 days.
Potting
If you can’t get your gaura plants to overwinter reliably because of heavy, waterlogged soil or below-average temperatures, the long-flowering season and compact growth habit of gaura make it a worthwhile investment as a container plant.
To accommodate the plant’s tap root, use a pot that is 12 inches deep and 10 inches in diameter and has good-size drainage holes because the roots don’t like to sit in soggy soil. For the potting medium, use an all-purpose potting mix.
Transplanting
Transplanting lindheimer’s beeblossom is best done during the mild months of mid-spring to early summer, when the plant can easily establish itself. Choose a sunny location, preferably in well-draining soil. Take extra care with root handling to ensure successful transplanting.
Pests and Diseases
Gaura plants don’t suffer from many pests, but can be vulnerable to aphids in the early summer, which you can spray with a hose or insecticidal soap.3
Glasener, Erica and Walter Reeves. Georgia Getting Started Garden Guide: Grow the Best Flowers, Shrubs, Trees, Vines & Groundcovers. Cool Springs Press, 2013.
You can make your flower garden less welcoming to these pests by removing dead plant matter that insects use to overwinter in at the end of the growing season, keeping your flower beds weeded, and attracting parasitic wasps with a companion planting of sweet alyssum.
III. Uses and Benefits
Lindheimer’s beeblossom is an herbaceous perennial that thrives in beds, where its fine texture and small white flowers can be a valuable background for showier and brighter plants. It will also do well in pots or other containers. In colder climates, pots are more desirable because they may not overwinter successfully outdoors.
IV. Gaura (Wandflower) Varieties
There are several beautiful cultivated varieties of Oenothera lindheimeri to choose from, including:
- ‘Corrie’s Gold’: The gold in this plant refers not to the flowers, but to the marvelous variegated foliage. Flowers are white tinged with pink.
- ‘Crimson Butterflies’: Bright pink flowers on red stems hover above burgundy foliage. Partner them with blue or green-flowering plants for a head-turning combination.
- ‘Passionate Rainbow’: As if the pink flower wands weren’t enough, the foliage is also edged in pink.
- ‘Siskiyou Pink’: These showy rose-pink flowers are the most common variety in the trade.
- ‘Sparkle White’: Dainty white flowers are tinged with pink in this elegant gaura variety. It received the Fleuroselect Gold Medal in 2014 for its beauty and garden performance.
Find Where to Buy the Best White Gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri)
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