Unknown roadside flower

[willowjay]

I'm fairly certain this clump of flowers is not native - but was growing by the roadside near to some gardens. It's stunningly pretty, and I'd love to know what it is please.



many thanks

willowjay

[Jennie]

I'm fairly sure this is Gaura, a native to North America.

[Hedera]

I think that's it - reminds me of a cloud of butterflies. Very pretty, saw it first at Beth Chatto's mediterranean garden years ago.

[Dorts]

It is Gaura lindheimeri , but what is it doing on a roadside?
I can find no record of it naturalised anywhere in Britain, could have been planted perhaps?
Makes a lovely plant, especially one called 'Siskiyou Pink'.
The plant pictured looks like a variety called 'Whirling Butterflies'.
Dorts.

[tcvarlh]

I looked on the RHS site for this and found "Whirling Butterflies". I laughed when I read the RHS description : "A graceful, hazy plant with airy wands of white, fading to pink, star-shaped flowers with distinctive long anthers like daddy long-legs..." A touch of confusion perhaps?


h

[willowjay]

Many thanks for your replies. I'm certain it must have been planted. The front gardens a little further down the road were full of interesting perennials, perhaps someone wanted to spread their gardening abilities a little further

I will hunt it out and find a place for it in our little plot.

thanks again

willowjay

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by willowjay

Many thanks for your replies. I'm certain it must have been planted. The front gardens a little further down the road were full of interesting perennials, perhaps someone wanted to spread their gardening abilities a little further
I will hunt it out and find a place for it in our little plot.
thanks again
willowjay

Should be no trouble finding plants. It is a short-lived perennial so worth taking cuttings to keep it going.
Dorts.