Botanical Name: Gaura lindheimeri ‘Passionate Rainbow’

Common Name: Gaura, Beeblossom, Wandflower

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Most Climates (USDA Zones 5–9)

Size: 14–20" Tall × 14–20" Spread

Growth Habit: Compact, Upright, Well-Branched, Airy Habit

Sunlight: Full Sun (Best Color and Flowering); Tolerates Light Shade

Soil: Prefers Well-Drained Soil; Tolerates Poor or Sandy Soils

Water Needs: Low to Moderate; Drought Tolerant Once Established

Bloom Season: Late Spring through Fall

Fertilizer: Minimal; Avoid Excess Fertility

Features: Variegated Green, Cream, and Pink-Tinted Foliage; Soft Pink Butterfly-Like Flowers; Long Bloom Season; Heat Tolerant; Pollinator Friendly

Uses: Ideal for Borders, Containers, Pollinator Gardens, Cottage Gardens, and Color-Focused Designs

Patent: ✔ Patented

Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited Without License

See our complete Gaura Plant Guide for more in depth care details.

More About Gaura ‘Passionate Rainbow’

Gaura ‘Passionate Rainbow’ stands out for its multicolored variegated foliage, which blends shades of green, cream, and soft pink even before the plant begins to flower. As the season progresses, delicate pink, butterfly-like blooms appear above the foliage, adding movement and lightness without overpowering the plant’s colorful base.

Unlike traditional gaura grown primarily for flowers, ‘Passionate Rainbow’ delivers dual-season interest—foliage color from early growth through fall, paired with continuous flowering once bloom begins. The compact habit keeps the plant tidy and easy to place in both containers and garden beds.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Passionate Rainbow’ has been a strong performer in full sun, where foliage color is most intense. It maintains a compact, upright shape without staking and continues flowering steadily through heat and humidity.

We especially appreciate its versatility in design. It works beautifully as a container feature, a front-to-mid border perennial, or a colorful accent in pollinator plantings. Bees and butterflies visit regularly, and the foliage provides interest even between bloom cycles.

Passionate Rainbow vs. Other Gaura Varieties

Gaura Passionate Rainbow is the outlier of the group, valued as much for its foliage as its flowers. Unlike all other varieties listed, it brings multicolored leaves that add interest even when blooms slow down. Compared to Belleza Dark Pink and Belleza White, which are bloom-driven, Passionate Rainbow provides season-long color through both foliage and flowers. Its habit is moderately compact but slightly looser than the Belleza series, giving it a more relaxed, modern look.

When contrasted with Whirling Butterflies, Passionate Rainbow feels more controlled and ornamental, while still retaining movement. It lacks the ultra-clean simplicity of Bantam White, but offers far more visual complexity. This variety shines in mixed containers, modern landscapes, and designs where layered color is the goal. Gardeners who want Gaura to contribute beyond flowers will appreciate how Passionate Rainbow earns its space all season long.