What's your experience with gauras?

[MalvaMoschata]

I've just discovered these this summer (new to gardening) and I adore them. I've got a couple in a part shady bed and so far they seem pretty happy, so I'm tempted to buy more... They're supposed to be perennials, but how much luck have you had keeping them going?

I've bought two this year, so I can't say anything about how they perform in subsequent years, sorry. But I really love both of mine too. They've been in flower for a few months and still look good. I had one in my local market for about a fiver and the other one in the garden centre. Both doing as well as each other.

Yes, I've had two from a local nursery and another from a market stall -- so three different varieties. So far the first is the best, Rosy Jane. They're £3.50 on the market now, which seems like a good price for so much height and prettiness even if they don't last. I'm tempted to pop out and get a couple more.

I planted some last year and have had no problems keeping them going. If anything they are doing much better this year than last.

Sorry to lower the mood. I've planted several over the years - they are lovely - but they've never survived the winter. I blame the cold, wet clay soil.

My dad's found them hard to keep going over winter too, and he is pretty skilled.

Yes, I'm usually pretty successful with perennials, but can't seem to provide gauras with what they need to get through the winter and suspect the clay soil is to blame.

Hmm we have quite a bit of clay, so I fear they might not last. Maybe I'll save my cash to buy more next year!

If you buy Gaura lindheimeri or one of its varieties it should be perennial. There are many attractive hybrid varieties around which are produced for the summer bedding market and may or may not survive our winters. Personally I think the effort required to try and get them through the winter is not worth it, as they take forever to get going again the following spring, if they are still alive.

No doubt others will have had much better experiences

Love them. Partly because they have come back bigger every year, without any intervention on my part. (my intervention usually kills things...) Our soil is more gritty than clay though.

Oh, and that is down south - if you're in the north you're having to deal with much colder winters, I suspect.

Gauras like mulching over the winter - I have lost less that way. They also appreciate staking, I find. Worth growing if you can get their needs right though.

I manage to keep them going, but grow them in fairly poor, well drained soil.

My garden is a bit extreme - right on the edge of a cliff, full sun, poor soil, extreme wind speeds and lots of rain - so many plants don't make it.

I had, incorrectly, assumed that as mine bounced back successfully that they must be easy to grow! Clearly I'm wrong and they need good drainage.

Barti that is pretty much the direct opposite of my garden! Ah well. They are all Linderheimeri and weee down south so I'll enjoy them for now, mulch them and hope for the best.