Gaura 'Passionate Rainbow'

Gaura 'Passionate Rainbow': A Painterly Blend of Colour and Grace
Dancing with delicate blooms and edged in multicolour foliage, Gaura 'Passionate Rainbow' is as striking in leaf as it is in flower. This compact, variegated cultivar unfurls pink-blushed white blossoms on airy, arching stems from early summer through fall, while its green leaves are brushed with cream and flushed with rose. The effect is luminous—like a soft watercolour painting in constant motion—perfect for brightening borders, containers, and wildflower-inspired plantings with elegance and ease.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 30–45 cm
• Spread: 30–45 cm, forming a compact, upright mound
• Flower Colour: White with a soft blush of pink; opens from rosy buds
• Flowering Period: Early summer to frost
• Foliage: Variegated green with cream margins and pink tints, especially in cool weather
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, sandy or average soil; drought-tolerant once established

Uses and Benefits: Gaura 'Passionate Rainbow' adds light and movement to the front of sunny borders, patio containers, and pollinator gardens. Its unique variegated foliage provides season-long interest, even when not in bloom, while its delicate flowers attract bees and butterflies from summer to frost. The compact habit and vivid colour make it an excellent accent or filler plant, particularly in water-wise and heat-tolerant plantings.

Companion Plants: Pair Gaura 'Passionate Rainbow' with Sedum 'Lime Zinger', whose succulent, rosy-edged leaves harmonize with the gaura’s soft tones while thriving in similar dry conditions. Add Coreopsis 'Red Hot Vanilla', whose bicolour blooms echo the pink and cream palette with bold contrast and continuous bloom. Finish with Festuca 'Buddy Blue', whose cool-toned foliage grounds the composition and balances the warm tones of Passionate Rainbow.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly during the first growing season; afterward, occasional deep watering is sufficient. Avoid heavy or overly rich soils, which can reduce flowering and encourage legginess. Cut back in early spring to encourage fresh growth. Deadheading is not essential, as Passionate Rainbow blooms continuously with minimal upkeep.

History: A cultivated form of Gaura lindheimeri, native to the prairies of the southern United States, 'Passionate Rainbow' was developed for improved foliage interest, compact habit, and extended blooming. This modern selection blends the resilience of its wild ancestors with decorative foliage and refined colour—making it as much a foliage plant as a flowering one.

Final Thoughts: Radiant in both leaf and bloom, Gaura 'Passionate Rainbow' brings a touch of painterly charm and breezy movement to every sunny setting. Whether anchoring a container or softening the edge of a perennial border, it offers a spectrum of colour that shifts with the seasons and never fades from grace. A compact powerhouse that’s as joyful as it is easy to grow.