Variety traits

Winter Hardiness — Gaura lindheimeri

Oenothera lindheimeri (Engelm. & A. Gray) W. L. Wagner & Hoch

The winter hardiness of the crop is determined by USDA hardiness zones 5–10, though the critical factor for survival is not temperature, but rather soil drainage and the absence of winter waterlogging.

In the reference 10 varieties crop Lindheimer's beeblossom, where this is mentioned in the description.

Gaura lindheimeri lacks specific numerical winter hardiness ratings other than its classification within USDA zones 5–9 or 6–10. The plant's ability to overwinter in open ground directly depends on substrate aeration and moisture: excess water during the winter period, combined with heavy soils, leads to the death of the root system even at moderately low temperatures.

The plant possesses a strong taproot that is sensitive to waterlogging, requiring excellent drainage as a mandatory agronomic condition. In regions with marginal hardiness, mulching is practiced to protect against freezing; however, in high-humidity conditions, the crop is often grown as an annual. Breeding programs are aimed at increasing resistance through interspecific hybridization with cold-hardy species, such as G. coccinea.

General information about the subject — on the page Winter hardiness.

Sources8

Varieties of Lindheimer's beeblossom mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.