gaura

Gaura, commonly known as beeblossom or wandflower, was a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae native to North America. It comprised herbaceous perennials and annuals with slender, branched stems and narrow, lanceolate leaves. The flowers are borne in loose, airy panicles and typically have four petals, ranging in color from white to pink to magenta. Bloom generally occurs from late spring into autumn, with individual blossoms lasting briefly on the plant.

In modern taxonomy, Gaura has largely been subsumed into the genus Oenothera, and many species formerly placed in Gaura are now named as Oenothera species. For example, Gaura lindheimeri is now commonly cited as Oenothera lindheimeri. The reclassification follows molecular and morphological studies, though Gaura remains a familiar name in horticultural contexts and garden catalogs for cultivated forms.

Gaura species are native to central and western North America, where they occur in prairies, open woodlands, and rocky or desert-adjacent sites. They favor full sun and well-drained soils and are relatively drought-tolerant once established.

Cultivation and use: Gaura plants are valued in gardens for their delicate, airy flower displays and extended bloom. They thrive in sunny borders and tolerate heat and drought, making them suitable for xeriscaping in appropriate climates. They can be grown as annuals, biennials, or short-lived perennials depending on climate. Propagation is typically by seed or division, and deadheading can help prolong flowering.