Gaura 'Gaudi Red'

Gaura 'Gaudi Red': Whirling Blooms with Ruby Grace
Elegant and ever-moving, Gaura 'Gaudi Red' sends up a flurry of rich magenta-red blooms that flutter like butterflies above compact, airy foliage. Blooming from early summer into autumn, this tidy cultivar brings a vibrant energy to borders, containers, and wildflower-inspired plantings. Unlike taller gaura types, 'Gaudi Red' stays low and dense, offering long-lasting colour with a light, graceful touch—perfect for weaving motion and romance into sunny spaces.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 30–40 cm
• Spread: 30–40 cm, forming a rounded, bushy mound
• Flower Colour: Deep rosy-red to magenta blooms with a soft shimmer and four-petaled, butterfly-like form
• Flowering Period: Early summer to early autumn
• Foliage: Narrow, lance-shaped green leaves with a reddish tinge on young growth
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, average to sandy soil; drought-tolerant once established

Uses and Benefits: Gaura 'Gaudi Red' is perfect for adding soft movement and vibrant colour to borders, containers, and cottage-style gardens. Its compact habit makes it ideal for smaller spaces and front-of-border plantings, where it delivers months of continuous bloom with minimal care. The nectar-rich flowers are irresistible to bees and butterflies, and the plant’s excellent drought tolerance makes it a reliable choice for hot, dry areas.

Companion Plants: Pair Gaura 'Gaudi Red' with Salvia 'Bumblesky', whose pale blue flower spikes contrast beautifully with Gaura’s rosy-red hues while thriving in the same dry, sunny conditions. Add Coreopsis 'Red Hot Vanilla', whose bicolour blooms echo the energy and palette of Gaudi Red while extending the bloom season. Complete the look with Festuca 'Beyond Blue', whose fine, icy foliage balances the warmth of Gaudi Red and adds texture and cool tones to the composition.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly during establishment, then sparingly, as Gaudi Red prefers dry conditions once mature. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming, though it often self-cleans. Cut back in early spring to refresh growth and shape. Avoid overly rich soils to maintain compact form.

History: Gaura lindheimeri, native to southern North America, has long been admired for its delicate flowers and carefree nature. 'Gaudi Red' is a modern cultivar selected for its rich flower colour, improved compactness, and uniform habit—making it ideal for smaller gardens and ornamental displays. It retains the wild elegance of its species while delivering colour and reliability in a refined package.

Final Thoughts: Light as air but vivid as fire, Gaura 'Gaudi Red' brings colour, movement, and pollinator appeal to every corner of the sun garden. Whether spilling from containers or dancing among drought-tolerant perennials, it’s a long-blooming beauty that captures the romance of the prairie in a compact, garden-ready form. A true performer with a touch of wild charm.