What is this please? And what do I do with it?

[maldivemoment]

Picked this up from the ‘almost dead’ section. Forgot to label it so no idea what it is! It’s flourished over the past few months but now looks like this. As I’ve no idea what it is, I don’t know what to do with it!

Can anyone help? Thank you in advance.

Gaura Whirling Butterflies

I love Gaura, it’s a great perennial.

Ah, yes that's the thing, gaura. I looked at the photo earlier and knew what it was but couldn't remember the name of it.

@maldivemoment it's a herbaceous perennial, so needs to go in the ground, and then cut the old stems back in early spring to about six inches.

You might also find it classified as Oenothera as it was recently reclassified.

@Yamadori eek! I’ve got it in a container. Will it be okay for now?

Gaura. Lovely plant. Not sure about pots but I do find mine struggles in a harsh winter. Might do better somewhere a little sheltered (from a frost pocket in the Midlands)

I guess so, not grown one in a container myself though. Some things are better in the ground over winter, as it offers better protection for the roots than if they are in a container which can freeze solid.