Get it growing
Lots of people want to plant gardens that attract and nurture bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Fortunately, many plants that are pollinator magnets also provide beauty and interest. Even better? A number of native plants, which are pros at handling our challenging Louisiana growing conditions, are beloved by pollinators.
One plant that meets all these criteria is gaura. It’s such a great plant that the LSU Ag-Center has named it a Louisiana Super Plant for 2025.
Gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri) is a perennial that consists of dense foliage at its base and tall, wispy spikes of flowers that move with the breeze — which is why it’s sometimes called wandflower. Another nickname for gaura is bee blossom, a nod to its superstar status in the world of pollinator plants.
Because gaura is native to Louisiana, it thrives in our heat and humidity with few maintenance requirements. Like most plants, gaura needs regular watering when it’s first planted. Once established, though, gaura is remarkably drought tolerant thanks to a prominent taproot that reaches deep into the soil to provide the plant with moisture.
Gaura can reach 2 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. It has an upright growth habit. It can tolerate partial shade but should be planted in full sun for maximum flower power and pollinator visits.
Blooms, which measure about an inch across, appear from early spring to mid summer. Plants can become a bit leggy in the summer, and trimming back this excess growth and spent flowers can en- courage a second round of blooming in the fall.
There are many gaura cultivars out there — including shorter plants with pink blooms such as Belleza and Steffi Dark Rose. Whirling Butterflies has white flowers and hints of pink on taller stems. Many unnamed, wild gauras have tall bloom spikes as well.
In its natural setting, gaura is known for readily reseeding itself and spreading. But popular cultivars you’re likely to find at the garden center don’t reseed as much — a plus for those hoping to keep a tidy garden appearance.
Gaura can usually survive Louisiana winters, and its foliage is sometimes evergreen. New stem and leaf growth on some cultivars is a vibrant shade of red.
Gaura and other Louisiana Super Plants have been thoroughly vetted by AgCenter scientists. Plants that earn this title are both tough and attractive. To learn more about the program, visit www.LSUAgCenter. com/SuperPlants.
Some gaura cultivars, including Ballerina White, have taller bloom spikes. (Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter)
