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THE GARDEN CLUB OF CYPRUS 'for the beauty of Cyprus'
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PLANT OF THE MONTH
MAY 2008
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Gaura lindheimeri
Common Names: Butterfly Bush, Apple Blossom Grass, Bee Blossom, Wand Flower
Family: Onagraceae |
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This native of Louisiana and Texas is just the sort of flower we need here as it prefers full sun and will grow in any well-drained soil. Its many common names refer to the flowers which resemble butterflies and to the bees hovering amongst the sometimes very long flower stems. They are excellent plants for informal borders. Their real value is that they will grow in virtually any soil and once they become established only need a once weekly watering during dry summers.
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The flowers can be white, pale pink or deep pink which look well amongst the red tinged dark green foliage. Some cultivars grow up to 60 cms whilst others reach over one metre and in extreme cases 2 metres. Each flower lasts only a short time but more and more open each day. Propagation is best by seeds as the long tap root makes splitting plants somewhat difficult. |
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Cutting down the old stems in early spring or even during the autumn will encourage good new growth and you should feed the plants with a general fertiliser in springtime for good foliage and blooms. The shorter stemmed plants are suitable for the front of the border whilst the longer ones combined with grasses and daisy-like flowers such as rudbeckias give height to the back. They can even be grown in pots and containers so you can enjoy them on your patio or veranda.
They have only been available here a short time but are already proving to be very popular so grab them whilst you can. |
© 2008
Garden Club of Cyprus