Falling in love with this flowering shrub is easy. There’s a white variety, but I’m smitten with the pink. What sets it apart are its elegant, thread-thin branches, along which delicate pink blossoms flutter like tiny butterflies. That’s why it’s also called “Whirling Butterflies.” You may find it under other names, too—Lindheimer’s beeblossom, pink-and-white gaura, Lindheimer’s clockweed, or Indian feather. Botanically, gaura has been reclassified as Oenothera lindheimeri.

In my garden it thrives—tolerant of drought, full sun, frost, and hot summers. It blooms from late spring into early autumn. In winter it drops its flowers, the stems die back, and you should cut them off so it resprouts in spring.

Gaura (now classified as Oenothera lindheimeri) is native to North America and is hardy in USDA Zones 6–9. For propagation, divide clumps in spring, or sow seed from spring to early summer. In my area it spreads readily, especially in sandy spots—likely because the excellent drainage helps it survive winter. Otherwise, it needs little care and is consistently eye-catching.