Gaura lindheimeri Cherry Brandy

Gaura lindheimeri Cherry Brandy is a recent cultivar. A small rounded and delightful bush, extremely floriferous, covered from June to September with abundant pale pink flowers with cherry red central veins. Its foliage is deciduous, composed of small velvety leaves, and it grows rapidly. This short-lived plant is both elegant and proud, essential in a flowering garden. Ideal in dry to moist soil, even poor, in full sun.

Gaura linddheimeri Cherry Brandy belongs to the Onagraceae family and is a cousin of evening primroses. The natural range of Gaura lindheimeri, from which it originates, is located on the borders of Mexico and the United States (prairies and pine forests of Louisiana and Texas, Houston). It is one of the most floriferous plants. 'Cherry Brandy' has a more compact habit than the type species. It is a perennial with a taproot, forming a bushy clump, slightly spreading - about 40 cm (16in) in all directions - from a rosette. It is the branched, numerous and slender floral stems that give the plant its bushy appearance. Flowering takes place in successive waves, from mid-spring to autumn. The butterfly-like flowers succeed each other, grouped in paniculate spikes 20 to 40 cm (8 to 16in) long, pale pink with red veins. The combination of colours creates a very fresh and cheerful impression. The foliage, deciduous, is medium green, irregularly dotted with red spots, composed of small velvety leaves on both sides. The root system is a taproot that allows the plant to anchor itself in poor or rocky soils.

Gauras have quickly become the stars of urban flower beds and gardens. This success can be explained by their incredible floriferousness and the speed at which they grow. These plants, which seem unaffected by the wind, quickly become indispensable for anyone who has tried them for a year. No matter where they are planted, they bring lightness and a lot of grace. Gaura lindheimeri has its place in the background of herbaceous borders or flowerbeds. It pairs well with roses, grows between shrubs like abelias and deutzias, accompanies frugal perennials like daylilies, catmints, Scabiosa Moon Dance, Asclepias Ice Ballet, and Oenothera versicolor. Gaura 'Cherry Brandy' also thrives in large pots.

The species name comes from the Greek 'gauros' which means magnificent or proud, alluding to its astonishing flowers that resemble butterflies hanging from its stems.