How to Grow Tall Gaura Pink Fountain
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Tall Gaura Pink Fountain
Gaura lindheimeri 'Pink Fountain'
flowerPink Fountain is a cultivar of Gaura lindheimeri, a native Texas perennial known for its graceful, airy appearance and prolific pink flowers. This tall variety produces delicate, butterfly-like blooms on slender stems that create a fountain-like effect, blooming from late spring through fall. It's a heat and drought-tolerant plant that thrives in sunny locations with minimal maintenance.
When should you plant Tall Gaura Pink Fountain in your zone?
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Example Tall Gaura Pink Fountain timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Tall Gaura Pink Fountain
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Tall Gaura Pink Fountain blooms
Around Aug 15≈ 120 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Tall Gaura Pink Fountain dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9, hardy and reliable
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Seedling
3-4 weeksTiny green seedlings with first true leaves emerging; delicate and compact growth
Keep soil lightly moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light to prevent legginess. Thin seedlings to proper spacing if direct sown.
Vegetative Growth
6-8 weeksRosette of narrow, lance-shaped green leaves forms; plant gradually increases in height and bushiness
Water regularly to establish deep roots. Apply balanced fertilizer monthly. Pinch back growing tips if desired to encourage bushier growth.
Pre-flowering
4-6 weeksTall stems elongate and flower buds begin to form at branch tips; plant reaches 3-4 feet tall
Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to promote flowering. Continue regular watering. Provide staking or support if in windy locations.
Flowering
12-16 weeks (June through October)Delicate, pale to bright pink butterfly-like flowers open progressively along stems in a fountain-like display; continuous blooming
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming. Reduce watering frequency as plant becomes established. Water only during drought. No fertilizer needed.
Dormancy/Fall
2-4 monthsFlowering slows as temperatures drop; foliage may turn reddish-bronze; stems begin to die back
Stop fertilizing. Minimize watering. Cut back dead stems in early spring or fall depending on climate. Leave some stems for winter interest if desired.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity by misting foliage; spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap if severe
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial insects
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Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs or parasitic wasps
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Ensure excellent drainage; allow soil to dry between waterings; remove affected plants; amend soil with sand and gravel
Uses
Cut Flowers & Arrangements
CraftThe delicate, airy stems and prolific pink flowers make Gaura Pink Fountain excellent for fresh and dried flower arrangements. The flowers provide a light, graceful texture that complements other garden flowers in bouquets and mixed displays. [source]
Pollinator Magnet
WildlifePink Fountain attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds throughout the growing season, making it valuable for pollinator gardens. The continuous flowering provides a reliable nectar source from summer through fall. [source]
Low-Maintenance Landscape
HouseholdOnce established, Pink Fountain is extremely drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering, fertilizing, or pest management. It's ideal for water-wise gardens, xeriscape designs, and low-input landscapes. [source]
Extended Bloom Season
HouseholdFlowering continuously from late spring to first frost provides months of color and visual interest when many other plants have finished blooming. This extended display makes it valuable for late-season garden color. [source]
Ornamental Structure & Texture
CraftThe tall, graceful, fountain-like growth habit and feathery flower spikes add vertical interest and airy texture to garden designs. It contrasts beautifully with bold foliage plants and dense shrubs. [source]
Harvest Tips
Gaura is ornamental and not harvested for food. Cut stems for fresh flower arrangements when flowers are just opening. Deadhead spent flowers throughout the blooming season to promote continuous flowering. In late fall or early spring, cut back dead stems to 6-12 inches from the ground to rejuvenate the plant.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Gaura lindheimeri is native to Texas and Louisiana and was named after Dr. Johann Christian Gaur, a German botanist and patron of botany
- 🌱 The flowers are pollinated primarily by hummingbirds and bees and have a light, sweet fragrance that is more pronounced in evening hours
- 🌱 Pink Fountain can live for many years in the garden and actually becomes more vigorous and fuller with age; mature plants can reach 4-5 feet tall and wide
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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