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Gaura: Dead or Alive?

CraighBCraighB Posts: 758
Hi guys,

I bought a couple of young Gaura's last year and they were small but in flower. I planted them out last September and in November I cut them back hard, down to the ground. Wasnt so sure if that was such a good idea now? One of them has tiny tiny little shoots coming but the other doesn't seem to be doing much of anything.

Have I killed them? Even the one shooting looks a bit thin on the ground for shoots :/
Should they be pruned hard to the ground or just trimmed?

Thanks
Craigh

Thanks
Craigh

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    I think they are only suitable for light pruning, but it looks like shoots are coming from the base, so you might have got away with it. Give it a month or two before you decide it is dead.
  •  I have never managed to get them to survive a second year so have assumed they are not very hardy.
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    They are definitely not hardy with me in Scotland!
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • Daisy33Daisy33 Posts: 1,031
    Not specially reliable here in London either, given up trying to keep them. I grow ammi majus from seed every year for that fluffy look.
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    edited April 2018
    They mostly come back for me in East Anglia growing in dry conditions - they do not like moisture in winter.  You should try not to cut back the foliage in Autumn as they need it to protect the plant over winter. Just leave it all on, and only cut it back about now in April each year, just as they start to shoot from the base.  Your plants will be o.k from what I can see.

    I have some from the Passionate series, I've had Whirling Butterflies, and Cherry Brandy. All came back, but 'Papillon' didn't survive a winter but I'd try it again, it's a nice white.   I also get seedlings pop up, in shades of pink and white..
    East Anglia, England
  • CraighBCraighB Posts: 758
    Thanks guys,

    I remember just after cutting back thinking hmmmm I probably shouldn't have done that! But I'd they don't survive then I may try grow them in pots next time and keep them protected over winter!
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    The compost in the pots looks sopping wet and what is the white stuff?  The gaura might perk up once it's dryer and warmer. As the others said, wait a while longer. I think mine's in the same state as yours, must go and check them again.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • CraighBCraighB Posts: 758
    I had just dug them out and potted them up and so had just been watered :) the white stuff is perlite :)
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