Gaura 'Pink Bouquet'

Gaura lindheimeri 'Pink Bouquet' Whirling Butterflies 'Pink Bouquet'

Clouds of soft pink starry blooms held on slender, arching, almost-invisible stems that dance and shimmer in the slightest breeze — Gaura 'Pink Bouquet' is the cottage garden's most graceful blush-pink perennial, providing months of soft, romantic colour with the lightness and movement of butterflies in flight.

If you've ever watched a Gaura on a summer afternoon you'll understand why its common name is "Whirling Butterflies" — the soft pink four-petalled flowers are held so loosely on such slender, almost-invisible stems that the slightest breeze sets the entire plant trembling and dancing, the individual blooms quivering like a swarm of pale butterflies. Native to the prairies of Texas and Louisiana, Gaura is fully drought-tolerant once established and flowers continuously from June through to October — a remarkably long flowering season for a perennial. 'Pink Bouquet' delivers soft blush-pink flowers on tidy bushy plants reaching 60–90cm. Hardy perennial (H4–H5), surviving most UK winters in well-drained positions. RHS Plants for Pollinators recognised, particularly valued by bees, butterflies and hoverflies who visit the open accessible blooms throughout the long season.

A note on growing

Sow indoors from February to April at 18–22°C. Surface-sow as Gaura seeds need light to germinate; press gently into moist compost without covering. Germination is sometimes variable — typically 14–28 days. Pot on once large enough to handle. Like most prairie perennials from seed, the first year focuses on root establishment with modest flowering; from Year 2 onwards Gaura comes into its full architectural and floriferous display.

Plant out into full sun in well-drained soil after frost risk has passed. Gaura is genuinely intolerant of waterlogged winter ground — this is the single most common cause of plant failure. Gravel gardens, sandy soils and raised beds suit it perfectly; heavy clay does not. Once established, drought-tolerance is exceptional. Plants can become straggly mid-season; a light trim in late July restores compact form and triggers a second flush of flowers. May behave as a short-lived perennial in particularly cold or wet UK gardens — treat as annual if necessary in challenging sites.

Where it shines

In gravel gardens and Mediterranean-style plantings where the drought-tolerance and airy form suit dry conditions perfectly. In prairie-style and naturalistic borders where the dancing pink butterfly flowers add movement and softness amongst more rigid companions. In containers and patio pots — Gaura's tolerance of dry conditions makes it ideal for situations where regular watering isn't guaranteed. As a "softener" in front of heavy or blocky planting (Echinacea, Echinops, Dahlias) — the airy stems and tiny flowers create a veil that makes rigid plantings look more natural and romantic. As a cut flower for soft, romantic, casually-styled arrangements.

Plant alongside

For prairie movement contrast, pair 'Pink Bouquet' with the rigid blue spheres of Echinops ritro and the flat pink discs of Echinacea purpurea — three different shapes in compatible colours creating proper textural interest. For an all-pink scheme of varying transparency, combine with Cornflower 'Pink Ball' and the soft cream Achillea 'Pastel Mixed'. With Gaura 'The Bride' (white sister variety) for a romantic pink-and-white prairie scheme.