Long-flower Butterfly-weed

Long-fower Butterfly-weed
Long-flower Butterfly-weed
© Iralee Barnard

 Long-flower Butterfly-weed
Gaura longiflora

 

Family Evening-primrose
Longevity Annual
Height 2 - 6 feet

Bloom Period

March April May June July August September October
  • Description: Erect, slender stems are branched above. Alternate leaves are elliptic in outline. Tubular, 1-inch flowers are white, becoming pink as the blossoms age.
  • Comments: On tall stems, flowers have the appearance of butterflies floating in the breeze. Gaura is from the Greek meaning, “stately.” Long-flower Butterfly-weed is pollinated by moths. It grows in the eastern one-third of the state along roadsides and in rocky, open prairies. Another common species, Velvety Gaura, has soft, wavy-edged leaves and small, rose-pink flowers.

 


Long-flower Butterfly-weed
© Iralee Barnard

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The Meadow
Text: Iralee Barnard
Design: Jim Mason