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Large-flowered Gaura

Oenothera filiformis

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Category
Forb / Wildflower
Sun
Full to Partial
Soil moisture
Medium-Wet to Dry
Bloom time
Jul–Sep
Bloom color
Pink
Notes
Biennial

About Large-flowered Gaura

Large-flowered Gaura, also known as Longflower Beeblossom, is an elegant biennial that adds airy texture and vertical interest to the native prairie garden. This stately plant can reach heights of 3 to 6 feet, sending up slender, branching stems topped with delicate, four-petaled flowers that open white and fade to a soft pink. The blossoms typically open in the evening and remain through the following morning, providing a continuous display from July through September. Native to the central and southern United States, it is found in glades, prairies, and open woodlands, thriving in full to partial sun and well-drained soils. Its deep taproot makes it exceptionally drought-tolerant and heat-resistant once established. Pollinators, particularly long-tongued bees and moths, are drawn to the nectar-rich flowers, while the seeds provide sustenance for various bird species. Because of its height and open habit, it works beautifully when massed or tucked among sturdier grasses. This is an ideal choice for gardeners seeking to add a touch of wild elegance and late-season color to their landscape.

Native range

Native to 22 states:

AlabamaArkansasColoradoConnecticutIowaIllinoisIndianaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMassachusettsMarylandMichiganMissouriMississippiNebraskaOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaTennesseeTexasWisconsin

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Oenothera filiformis

Range map courtesy of BONAP (Biota of North America Program).

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