Gaura White

Overview and Key Features

Gaura 'White', also known as Whirling Butterflies, is a graceful, long-flowering perennial with airy spires of pure white flowers that flutter in the breeze like butterflies. Native to Texas and Louisiana, Gaura thrives in sunny, well-drained conditions and is beloved for its delicate appearance and tough, drought-tolerant nature.

This plant adds a soft, romantic feel to borders, gravel gardens, and containers. It looks particularly good in naturalistic or cottage-style schemes and works well with grasses and other sun-loving perennials.

• Height: 60–90 cm

• Spread: 30–60 cm

• Flowers: White, star-like blooms on long, wiry stems

• Foliage: Narrow, lance-shaped green to reddish-green leaves

• Flowering period: June to October

• Growth habit: Upright, airy, and branching

• Type: Herbaceous perennial (may behave as a short-lived perennial or reseeding annual in cold areas)

Planting Conditions and Position

Gaura is easy to grow when given the right position—plenty of sun and free-draining soil are essential.

• Light Requirements:

  • Requires full sun (6+ hours/day) for best growth and flowering

  • Will tolerate light shade but with fewer blooms

• Soil Preferences:

  • Prefers light, well-drained soil – sandy or gravelly is ideal

  • Tolerates poor soil and drought once established

  • Avoid wet or heavy clay soils, especially over winter

• Planting Tips:

  • Plant in spring or early autumn

  • Improve drainage in heavy soils by adding grit or sand

  • Space 30–45 cm apart for border planting

Watering, Feeding, and Maintenance

Gaura is low maintenance, but a few care tips will enhance its long-lasting display and overall performance.

• Watering:

  • Water regularly in the first season until roots are established

  • Once settled, it's very drought-tolerant and only needs watering in dry spells

  • Avoid waterlogging, especially in winter

• Feeding:

  • Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring to support growth

  • Avoid overfeeding – this can result in floppy plants

• Deadheading and Pruning:

  • Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms

  • Trim lightly in summer if flowering slows

  • Cut back hard in late autumn or early spring to maintain compact shape

• Staking:

  • Taller plants may need light support in windy areas

  • Plant in groups for mutual support and a more dramatic effect

Design Use and Companions

With its delicate flower spikes and movement in the wind, Gaura ‘White’ is a brilliant filler and backdrop plant.

• Best Uses:

  • Borders, cottage gardens, and wildflower-style planting

  • Excellent for gravel or Mediterranean-style gardens

  • Looks beautiful in containers with trailing or mounding plants

  • Great for cut flowers – long stems with a natural look

• Good Companions:

  • Combine with Lavender, Salvia, Verbena bonariensis, Coreopsis, Eryngium, and ornamental grasses

  • Mix with blue, purple, or soft pink perennials for contrast

  • Use with silver-leaved plants like Artemisia or Senecio for a light, ethereal palette

Hardiness and Seasonal Notes

• Hardiness:

  • Hardy in mild areas (RHS H4: down to -5°C to -10°C)

  • In colder regions, protect with mulch or grow as an annual

• Winter Care:

  • Cut back faded stems in late autumn or early spring

  • Apply a mulch to protect the crown in colder climates

  • Avoid winter wet – essential for plant survival

• Lifespan:

  • Short-lived perennial; may need replacing every 3–4 years

  • Can self-seed lightly if allowed to set seed

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.