Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants

See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

rate this answer

7 ratings

Thursday - February 19, 2015

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Pruning, Wildflowers
Title: Pruning Gaura
Answered by: Anne Van Nest

QUESTION:

My Gaura lindheimeri is very "leggy", but is blooming well at the end of the spindly stems. Should I prune it back or leave it?

ANSWER:

Gaura lindheimeri (Lindheimer's beeblossom) is an easy to grow perennial that is very drought and heat tolerant. Adequate drainage is needed.

Weston Gardens in Fort Worth, Texas have the following information on their website about pruning Gaura which will help with the legginess that they frequently exhibit.

Gaura will bloom adequately without deadheading. In mid-June or early July, cut back by 1/2 to 2/3. Gaura responds to continued shearing by making producing a deep green foliage in 10” -12” mounds. Flowering will commence shortly after shearing stops. Make sure to cut the plants to the ground in mid-February leading into spring.

From the Image Gallery

White gaura
Oenothera lindheimeri