Gaura Siskiyou Pink

Thanks to its airiness and 'butterfly' flowers, it fits perfectly into modern prairie plantings. It looks beautiful with:

• Grasses: Feather grass (Stipa), Fountain grass (Pennisetum).
• Sun-loving perennials: Purpletop vervain (Verbena bonariensis), Lavender, Sage, Coneflowers (Echinacea) or Stonecrops (Sedum).
• The pink flowers of 'Siskiyou Pink' contrast beautifully with the silver leaves of Lamb's ear or Wormwood.

No, or only very little. Gaura is used to poorer soils. Over-fertilized plants (especially with nitrogen) create lots of leaves but flower less, and stems break. Just adding a little compost to the plant in spring is enough. It needs no more care in this regard.

Water regularly in the first weeks after planting so the seedling roots. However, once the plant is established (after about a month), reduce watering significantly. Gaura is very drought-tolerant and has a deep taproot. Water it only during prolonged heatwaves when the soil dries out completely. Waterlogging is more dangerous for it than drought.

Yes! Gaura belongs to the Onagraceae family and its flowers are edible. You can use them as a beautiful decoration for summer salads, desserts, or drinks. They don't have a distinct taste, but they add a beautiful visual effect to food.

Stem flopping is most often caused by two factors:

1. Lack of sun: The plant stretches for light and stems are weak.
2. Excessive watering or fertilization: In overly nutritious and wet soil, Gaura grows vigorously, but the tissues are soft and cannot hold the weight of the flowers.

Transplant it to a sunnier and 'poorer' site.

Since it is a heat-loving perennial, the ideal time to plant a purchased seedling is in spring, as soon as the danger of severe frosts passes (usually from mid-May). This gives the plant the whole season to root well before the first winter. If you plant in autumn, you must ensure very good winter protection, but spring planting is safer.

Probably not. It is important to know that Gaura is naturally a short-lived perennial. This means that even with the best care, the plant usually lasts 3–4 years in one spot and then naturally dies. Therefore, it is recommended to continuously renew the planting with new seedlings or cuttings.

Gaura is a child of the sun. For abundant flowering and strong stems, it needs:

• Full sun: In shade, it stretches and blooms poorly.
• Permeable soil: This is key. The soil must be sandy, gravelly, or sandy-loam.
• Good drainage: In heavy, clay, and wet soil, it will not survive the winter (roots will rot).

We have good news for you. Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri) is not considered toxic to dogs, cats, or horses. It is a safe plant for gardens where pets roam.

This variety is slightly more delicate than white cultivars. In our conditions, it behaves as a short-lived perennial. It survives winter if two conditions are met:

1. Dryness at the roots: The soil must not be wet in winter.
2. Protection: In autumn (before frosts), cover the base of the plant with evergreen branches or dry leaves.

In colder regions (mountains), it is often grown only as an annual.

We perform pruning in two periods:

• Main pruning (spring): Cut the whole plant low above the ground (approx. 5–10 cm) only in spring, when new leaves start to sprout. Old stems serve as protection in winter.
• Summer shortening (optional): If the plant 'sprawls' in mid-summer or has finished blooming, you can cut it back by half. This encourages thickening and a second wave of blooming in autumn.

Dividing clumps is not recommended. Gaura has a long taproot (similar to a carrot) that hates damage, and dividing often kills the plant. Much better is:

• Cuttings: Take softwood cuttings in summer, which root easily.
• Seedlings: The plant may self-seed in the garden, but with the 'Siskiyou Pink' variety, the offspring may not have the same flower color.

Yes, Gaura is excellent for bouquets because it adds lightness and volume. Harvest the stems the moment the first two to three florets open. Additional buds will gradually bloom in the vase. Although individual flowers fade relatively quickly (often within a day), thanks to the continuous blooming, it lasts nicely in a vase for several days.

Besides the obvious flower color (pink vs. white), 'Siskiyou Pink' is usually more compact (growing approx. 60-80 cm), has darker, reddish stems and leaves. However, it is also slightly less frost-hardy than the basic white species, so it requires more careful winter covering.

The 'Siskiyou Pink' variety has naturally red to wine-colored spotted leaves, which is its ornamental feature, not a disease. However, if the spots are rusty or there is a white coating on the leaves, it may be mildew or rust, which appear if the plant is in too much dampness and shade. In that case, reduce watering and ensure better airflow.