Gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’

Gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’ (02/07/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Late spring to early autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 100cm

Eventual Spread: 90cm

Hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Onagraceae

Gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’ is a semi evergreen herbaceous perennial with a clump forming, spreading habit. Its mid green leaves are lanceolate with coarsely dentate margins, up to 9cm long and 13mm across. Its white flowers are up to 3cm across and appear on 80cm stalks above its leaves. Its roots emerge from rhizomes which aids its spread.

Gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’ Flower (02/07/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

The species Gaura lindheimeri, commonly known as Lindheimer’s beeblossom, Lindheimer’s clockweed, Wand Flower and Indian feather, is native to Texas and Louisiana, USA. Gaura lindheimeri is synonymous with Oenothera lindheimeri.

The etymological root of the binomial name Gaura is derived from the Greek gauros meaning ‘superb’. Lindheimeri is named after Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer (1801-1879), Texas plant collector.

The landscape architect may find Gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’ useful as a long flowering perennial in a mixed perennial planting scheme or as an effective ground cover. Once established this perennial is drought tollerant.

Gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’ Leaf (02/07/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’ flowers are attractive to polinating insects.

The Royal Horticultural Society have given the species Gaura lindheimeri their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Gaura lindheimeri ‘Whirling Butterflies’ requires little maintenance. Clumps may be cut back by a half in spring to promote a dense habit.



Landscape Architecture

Fuchsia paniculata

Fuchsia paniculata (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist and well drained

Flowering period: Summer to autumn

Eventual Height: 4m

Eventual Spread: 2.5m

Hardiness: 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11 (it may die back to ground level a the lower end of its hardiness range.)

Family: Onagraceae

Fuchsia paniculata is a evergreen shrub with a bushy habit. Its mid green leaves are lanceolate to ovate with entire margins, up to 15cm long and 5cm across. Its pink/ purple flowers are up to 15mm long and and appear in terminal panicles which are up to 15cm long and 12cm across. Its green/ blue fruit are ellipsoid berries, up to 9mm long and 7mm across.

Fuchsia paniculata Flower (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Fuchsia paniculata,  occasionally commonly known as Paniculate Fuchsia, is native to the highlands of Central America. In its native habitat it grows in evergreen cloud forests.

The etymological root of the binomial name Fuchsia was named for Leonard Fuchs, a 16th century German botanist. Paniculata is derived from the Latin, referring to the inflorescence taking the form of panicles.

Fuchsia paniculata Leaf (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

The Landscape architect may find Fuchsia paniculata useful as an attractive summer and autumn flowering shrub. This shrub prefers a sheltered location.

Ecologically, Fuchsia paniculata flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Fuchsia paniculata prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Fuchsia paniculata requires little to no maintenance. In the UK it may be cut to near ground level in early to mid spring to keep a tidy habit.



Landscape Architecture

Fuchsia regia

Fuchsia regia (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist and well drained

Flowering period: Summer to autumn

Eventual Height: 5m (up to 15m in a tree)

Eventual Spread: 5m

Hardiness: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11

Family: Onagraceae

Fuchsia regia is a semi-evergreen shrub with a bushy/ scrambling habit. Its mid green leaves are elliptic to ovate with entire margins, up to 6cm long and 3cm broad. Its flowers are pendulous and hermaphroditic with red sepals and purple petals. Its dark purple fruit are oblong, up to 25mm long and 13mm broad.

Fuchsia regia Flower (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Fuchsia regia, occasionally commonly known as Vining Fuchsia, is native to Argentina and Chile and south east Brazil. In its native habitat it grows on wet mountain slopes and readily scrambles up trees.

The etymological root of the binomial name Fuchsia was named for Leonard Fuchs, a 16th century German botanist. Regia is from the Latin meaning ‘ royal’.

The Landscape architect may find Fuchsia regia useful as an attractive summer flowering shrub if kept pruned. It may be planted at the base of trees where it will scramble upwards.

Ecologically, Fuchsia regia flowers will attract pollinating insects.

Fuchsia regia prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Fuchsia regia Leaf (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Fuchsia regia requires little to no maintenance. May be trimmed in early spring to encourage a bushy habit and flowering.