Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Oenothera lindheimeri 'Whirling Butterflies'
Whirling Butterflies White Gaura
- Family
- Onagraceae
- Height
- 2–3 feet
- Width
- 1–2 feet
- Flower color
- White with long, prominent stamens; flowers open from pink buds
- Foliage color
- Green, with lance-shaped leaves that provide a delicate, airy texture
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early autumn
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Moderate; prefers well-drained soil
- Maintenance
- Low; deadheading spent flowers can encourage continuous blooming
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 5–9
- Wildlife
- Attracts pollinators, including bees and butterflies
About this plant
Oenothera lindheimeri 'Whirling Butterflies' is a graceful perennial with fluttering white flowers and slender, wiry stems. This cultivar features lance-shaped, green leaves that form a bushy clump, from which the tall, airy flower spikes emerge. The plant produces an abundance of white flowers with pink buds, from late spring to early autumn, with only a few flowers open at a time, creating a continuous display throughout the season.
Preferring full sun, 'Whirling Butterflies' is drought-tolerant and can withstand heat and humidity once established. This cultivar is also deer and rabbit-resistant, making it a reliable choice for various garden settings. Additionally, 'Whirling Butterflies' attracts pollinators such as butterflies and native bees, enhancing the ecological value of your garden.
Works well in
Borders · Sun Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Cut Flower Gardens
Companion plants
Coneflowers · Salvias · Shasta daisies · Asters · Catmint · Coreopsis
Design tip
Late flowers extend the season, so set it behind or beside plants that finish in midsummer. Give it open sun and room to fill out, and repeat it in threes or fives so the planting reads as one sweep instead of scattered dots.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
