White Gaura 'The Bride'

While often treated as a perennial, Oenothera lindheimeri (formerly Gaura) 'The Bride' is frequently grown as a biennial in the UK to maintain its elegant, airy form. This cultivar produces slender, arching stems tipped with delicate white flowers that emerge from pink buds, resembling a cloud of butterflies hovering in the breeze. It has a remarkably long flowering period, often lasting from early summer until the first frosts. It is H4 hardy but requires very well-drained soil to survive British winters; it often suffers in heavy clay. It is a sun-loving plant that adds a sense of movement and lightness to any border, working particularly well when woven through sturdier perennials or grasses. Sown in late summer, it establishes a taproot and blooms profusely the following season. It is drought-tolerant once established and thrives in hot, sunny spots where many other plants might wilt. regular deadheading will keep the 'butterflies' coming all summer long.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well-drained, sandy loam.

Hardiness: H4 — down to −10°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.