Oenothera lindheimeri (Gaura lindheimeri) 'Whirling Butterfly' (Wandflower) Unity Grown

Oenothera lindheimeri 'Whirling Butterfly' is a cultivar of wandflower, previously known as Gaura lindheimeri. This cultivar, 'Whirling Butterfly,' is an upright, perennial evening primrose relative named for its ethereal blush-white flowers that catch the wind and dance around with a whirling motion resembling butterflies in flight.

Oenothera lindheimeri enjoys a long bloom season, producing flowers from late spring or  early summer into the fall on panicles that grow two to three feet high from a roughly 18" wide, clumped base of otherwise unremarkable green foliage. Tolerant of many soil conditions and types, including nutrient poor soils and drought, Oenothera lindheimeri performs best in full sun and moist but well-drained sandy loam.

'Whirling Butterfly' flowers are attractive to butterflies and other pollinators, and also make for great cut flowers. Flower stalks may flop over as the season progresses, so spent flowers and active stems may be deadheaded to maintain the plant's structure.

This Oenothera lindheimeri 'Whirling Butterfly' selection was grown from the ground up here at Unity Church Hill Nursery.