Botanical Name: Gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’

Common Name: Gaura, Beeblossom, Wandflower

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

Size: 24–36" Tall × 18–24" Spread

Growth Habit: Upright, Airy, Graceful, Open Habit

Sunlight: Full Sun (Best 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: White Butterfly-Like Flowers with Pink Tints, Exceptional Movement, Long Bloom Season, Heat Tolerant, Pollinator Friendly

Uses: Ideal for Borders, Pollinator Gardens, Cottage Gardens, Mass Plantings, and Naturalized Designs

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed

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

More About Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’

Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’ is the classic gaura variety that made beeblossom a garden staple. Its delicate white flowers, often flushed with soft pink, dance on long, slender stems—creating constant movement and a light, airy presence in the landscape.

Unlike compact gaura selections, ‘Whirling Butterflies’ embraces a taller, more natural form. The open habit allows flowers to sway freely in the breeze, giving the plant its signature “butterflies in motion” effect from late spring through fall.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Whirling Butterflies’ has been extremely dependable in full sun and well-drained soils. It thrives in heat, tolerates drought once established, and continues blooming long after many perennials have faded.

We especially appreciate its role in naturalistic and pollinator-focused plantings. Bees and butterflies are constant visitors, and the plant pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses, salvias, echinacea, and other prairie-style perennials.

Whirling Butterflies vs. Other Gaura Varieties

Gaura Whirling Butterflies is the most natural and free-form variety in this comparison, known for its airy stems and fluttering white blooms. Compared to every other variety listed, it has the loosest habit and the most movement, creating a meadow-like effect that feels spontaneous and light. While Belleza White and Bantam White offer structure, Whirling Butterflies offers motion, making it ideal for cottage gardens, pollinator plantings, and informal borders.

In contrast to Passionate Rainbow, Whirling Butterflies lacks foliage drama but compensates with elegance and scale. It grows taller and wider than Bantam White and reads as less controlled than the Belleza series, which may require staking or space to sprawl naturally. Gardeners who love a romantic, flowing garden aesthetic often consider Whirling Butterflies the most iconic Gaura, especially when allowed to move freely in the landscape.