Return to the Perennials & Annuals Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Why are my Gaura's so untidy?
| | |
Posted by Snodge Outer Sydney (My Page) on Sat, Oct 18, 03 at 2:16
Hi all,
I have found gaura's to be very tough and prolific at self sowing. In my garden they are also HUGE and untidy. I've seen other people with specimens that are nice neat clumps of tidy foliage with the dancing butterflies above. I've tried pruning. I've tried full sun, and various shade levels, but I'm getting to the point where I find them simply annoying. Am I doing something wrong? Do I not prune enough perhaps? Any suggestions? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Why are my Gaura's so untidy?
| | |
| I'll look forward to responses on this too since I've recently planted some gaura seedlings though I believe they're of the smaller growing variety so hopefully more easy to keep under control. |
RE: Why are my Gaura's so untidy?
| | |
We were told some years ago that their first growth should be pruned off in November and that the second growth would come on as tidy upright stems with a crown of dancing blooms as they were supposed to be. That information was correct, ours are always cut right back in November and they do come away and perform beautifully.
John |
RE: Why are my Gaura's so untidy?
| | |
- Posted by Snodge Outer Sydney (My Page) on
Sat, Oct 18, 03 at 16:55
| Thanks so much Jon01!! I'll give this a go! When they're behaving they're so lovely! |
RE: Why are my Gaura's so untidy?
| | |
| Hi Snodge, I planted some gaura lindheimeri in spring last year. In full sun, they flowered all summer and autumn. Botanicas Pocket Annuals and Perennials says to "cut ruthlessly to the ground when flowering has finished". I followed this advice, (having that word "ruthlessly" in my head), cutting back in early winter and they are now nice neat mounds - waiting for the flowers to appear.
Ann |
RE: Why are my Gaura's so untidy?
| | |
| I've found Gaura to be a bit of a pest re selfseeding. |
RE: Why are my Gaura's so untidy?
| | |
| I have gaura seedlings coming up through kikuyu lawn, they're so tough! I suspect they have the potential to become an environmental weed, but they are lovely. In garden beds I cut them back to the ground. Works very well. I like the more recent varieties because they're more compact. |
|
|
|
|
