Gaura Belleza Dark Pink is a beautiful variety of bee blossom that provides airy spikes of pink flowers from early summer well into fall. This long-blooming perennial is easy to grow, tolerates heat and drought, and adds graceful movement and nonstop color to gardens and containers. With its compact habit and vibrant blooms, Gaura Belleza Dark Pink is an exceptional addition to borders, butterfly gardens, and more.
Overview of Gaura Belleza Dark Pink
Gaura Belleza Dark Pink, also referred to as gaura or wand flower is a herbaceous perennial in the Onagraceae family. It’s a compact, bushy plant that grows 16-20 inches tall with a similar spread. The slender stems produce an abundance of flowers for months on end.
The blooms emerge deep pink buds that open to reveal delicate, dark pink flowers with white throats. Each flower has four petals and reddish-pink calyces behind the petals. The 1.5 inch blooms are produced on thin, wiry stems that flutter gracefully in the breeze above the foliage from early summer to frost.
The leaves are light green, lance-shaped, and grow alternately along the red-tinged stems. Gaura Belleza Dark Pink has a mounding, clumping form and maintains an attractive appearance even when not in bloom. It’s recommended for USDA hardiness zones 5-9.
Growing Conditions for Gaura Belleza Dark Pink
Gaura Belleza Dark Pink thrives in full sun and moderately fertile, well-drained soil. It tolerates partial shade but has reduced flowering. This gaura variety appreciates consistent moisture but is quite drought tolerant once established. It doesn’t tolerate wet feet.
Provide average watering for the first season to establish an extensive root system. After that, it only needs occasional watering except in very dry conditions. Good drainage is essential, so amend heavy clay soils with compost or gravel to improve drainage before planting.
While gaura isn’t picky about soil pH, a pH between 6.0-8.0 is ideal. It can handle somewhat alkaline or acidic soils. Fertilize in spring with a balanced organic fertilizer. Remove spent flower stems to encourage more blooms.
How to Use Gaura Belleza Dark Pink in Gardens
With its upright habit and constant flower production, Gaura Belleza Dark Pink makes an excellent addition to perennial borders, cottage gardens, cutting gardens, and butterfly gardens. It combines beautifully with salvias, verbena, catmint, helianthus, echinacea, rudbeckia, and other late season bloomers.
The slender wands of fluttering blossoms look graceful mass planted or interspersed throughout borders. Allow plenty of space between plants to prevent overcrowding. Works nicely in rock gardens and xeriscapes. Also shines in outdoor containers and window boxes. Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds!
Caring for Gaura Belleza Dark Pink
Gaura Belleza Dark Pink care is quite straightforward. It has minimal requirements once established. Here are some tips for growing and maintaining this variety:
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Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed. Space plants 12-18 inches apart.
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Water regularly first season, then only as needed to supplement rain. Avoid soggy soil.
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Prune lightly in early spring to shape and remove dead stems. For shorter, bushier plants, cut back by up to one half.
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Provide good air circulation and avoid crowding other plants close to gaura to prevent powdery mildew.
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Apply organic mulch in spring to conserve moisture and control weeds. Replenish as needed.
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Divide large clumps every 2-3 years in spring to rejuvenate. Discard dead centers and replant healthy stems.
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Cut spent flower stems back during bloom period to encourage continuous flowering until frost.
Why Grow Gaura Belleza Dark Pink?
What makes Gaura Belleza Dark Pink an outstanding choice for perennial gardens? Here are some of the best reasons to plant this gorgeous variety:
- Nonstop flowers from early summer until fall.
- Graceful, airy blooms flutter and dance in the breeze.
- Tolerates heat, humidity, drought, pests, and poorer soils.
- Has an extended bloom time, often for 3-4 months.
- Adds height, texture, and movement to gardens.
- Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators.
- Works beautifully in borders, containers, and butterfly gardens.
- Provides interest with or without flowers with lovely willowy foliage.
With its carefree nature and months of dancing, fluttery pink blooms, it’s easy to see why Gaura Belleza Dark Pink is a must-have perennial! This compact variety brightens gardens with vivid color and airy beauty from midsummer until frost.
Pruning
Cutting back gaura’s stems after the first main bloom keeps the plant neat and encourages it to bloom again.
Before the second growing season starts, cut the gaura plant in half. This should be done after the last frost has passed. Or, if it has suffered winter damage, cut it down to about 10 inches of growth. Pruning encourages new, fresh growth.
Potting and Repotting Gaura (Wandflower)
If you can’t get your gaura plants to reliably survive the winter because the soil is too heavy or too wet, grow this flower in a container garden.
To accommodate the plants long taproot, use a 12-inch deep and 10-inch wide pot with good-sized drainage holes. The roots dont like to sit in soggy soil. For the potting medium, use an all-purpose potting mix.
Best Perennials – Gaura ‘Pink Fountain’ (Wand Flower)
FAQ
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