Whirling Butterflies | Bee Blossom | Wand Flower | Gaura lindheimeri 'Whirling Butterflies'

Whirling Butterflies is an ethereal, airy perennial that brings a sense of movement and grace to any garden space. Named for its delicate, four-petaled white flowers that flutter on wiry, slender stems, it creates the illusion of a cloud of tiny butterflies hovering just above the foliage. This cultivar is particularly prized for its compact habit and its ability to bloom profusely from late spring through the first frost. Its drought tolerance and "see-through" texture make it a perfect choice for mixing into cottage borders, gravel gardens, or meadow-style landscapes where it can sway gently in the breeze.

 

Growing Whirling Butterflies

• Light: Thrives in full sun; needs bright light to prevent the tall stems from becoming floppy.
• Soil: Best in well-draining sandy or loamy soil; very tolerant of poor, rocky soils but dislikes heavy, wet clay.
• Water: Exceptionally drought-tolerant once established due to its deep taproot; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
• Maintenance: Generally low-maintenance; remove spent flower spikes to encourage a tidy look, though it is largely self-cleaning. Cut back to the ground in early spring.
• Wildlife: A magnet for butterflies, bees, and other beneficial pollinators.
• Hardiness: USDA zones 5–9; thrives in heat and humidity and is very resilient in dry conditions.

 

Shipping Info

Whirling Butterflies plants are shipped in 4" nursery pots. The plants can be re-potted after they recover from shipping stress, approximately 1 to 2 weeks.