If you want to plant a Blue Gaura or already have them in your garden, then this article is just for you.
Do you know what Gaura means in Greek? The Greek word Gaura means “Majestic.” The plant gaura is mainly known for its full-blooming bushes. This long herbaceous perennial plant is easy-to-maintain and drought-tolerant. Blue Gaura is an ornamental grass that looks beautiful, manifesting its colorful hues.
Want to know where they are found and to which family they belong? Blue Gaura is native to Northern America. They are mainly found in the South East of Texas, Mexico, and Louisiana. Scientifically they belong to the Onagraceae family, also known as the evening primrose or willowherb family.
In this post, we’ll read about Blue Gaura’s best companion plants and their growth requirements. This article also contains information on some pests and diseases to be taken care of to help increase their long life.
Let’s learn more about Blue Gaura and its companions.
Why Does Gaura Need Companion Plants?
To understand why Blue Gaura needs companion planting, let us first understand what companion plants are!
Companion planting is similar to mixed cropping for growing various plants effectively. It increases productivity close to other plants. When grown together, they boost soil nutrients, attract beneficial pollinators, repel pests, keep weeds out, prevent soil erosion, provide ground cover, and add color to your garden.
Similarly, we’ll look at how Blue Gaura’s need for companion plants will encourage each other’s growth. Let’s find out what companion plants are best when planted with Blue Gaura.
6 Best Gaura Companion Plants
Here are Blue Gaura’s six best companion plants that may thrive better under the following conditions.
1. Purpletop Vervain
Planting Purpletop Vervain with Blue Gaura will add complementary colors to your garden, as they are good companion plants.
Both plants have similar growing needs, such as sunlight, water, and soil. All these requirements are essential for growing companion plants.
Blue Gaura and Purpletop Vervain have unique features as they are drought-tolerant perennial plants.
Blue Gaura and Purpletop Vervain are flowering plants that attract butterflies and other pollinators. They equally benefit each other in pollination.
2. Lavender
The flowering plants Blue Gaura and Lavenders are both drought-tolerant perennial plants.
Blue Gaura and Lavender attract pollinators such as honeybees, butterflies, and bumblebees. When planted together, they make good companionship.
Both plants have similar growing conditions. Both plants have equal demand for water and well-draining soil.
Their bloom time is also similar, which is summer. Plant them to get a beautiful contrast to your garden bed.
3. Russian Sage
Blue Gaura and Russian Sage are ornamental plants. Plant them together for their spectacular striking colors that will embrace your garden.
Plant Russian Sage as it will help in repelling many pests. Share Russian Sage next to Blue Gaura to protect Gaura and other garden plants.
Butterflies and other pollinators feed on Russian Sage. Plant Blue Gaura beside Russian Sage since both plants attract beneficial insects, which will benefit each other.
Both Blue Gaura and Russian Sage are the best companion plants. Together they will add lots of interest to your garden.
4. Phlox
Blue Gaura and Phlox have similar sunlight requirements. Plant them together as friendly plants.
They are herbaceous perennials and low-maintenance plants. Phlox provides the best groundcovers when planted with Blue Gaura.
Phlox is a shallow-rooted plant, whereas Blue Gaura is a deep-rooted plant. Plant both plants together so they will not compete for water and soil nutrients.
Phlox and Gaura attract birds in the garden, which gives a cheerful look to your garden. Have both plants together as good companions.
5. Coneflower
Blue Gaura and Coneflowers are ornamental plants. Plant them together for attractive color contrasts that are eye-captivated in your garden.
Both are perennial plants. They even have similar growing needs for full sunlight with well-draining soil.
Blue Gaura and Coneflowers’ bloom time is in the summer months. They look beautiful when planted together by adding attractive features to the landscape.
Bees collect nectar and pollen from purple coneflowers, whereas Coneflowers draw birds. Keep both plants together as they are one of the best companion plants.
6. Dark-Eyed Susans
Both are ornamental plants. They look beautiful when planted together by adding attractive features to the landscape.
Dark-Eyed Susan and Blue Gaura have unique features for attracting birds. Planting them together will give a cheerful look to the garden.
Together they are drought-tolerant. Keep them as neighbors as they both are low-maintenance plants.
They have similar needs for complete sunlight. Also, they are identical seasoning plants that bloom in summer and fall.
6 Worst Companion Plants For Gaura
Here are the six worst companion plants that are not considered to be planted with blue Gaura.
1. Hydrangea
Hydrangea and Blue Gaura plants have different sun, water, and soil requirements. Hydrangea needs partial light with acidic to alkaline soil and more water for growth. In contrast, Gaura grows in full sunlight with less water and can thrive in poor soil.
Blue Gaura will compete for growth when planted with Hydrangeas tall bushy shrubs. Avoid planting them together as they are bad companion plants.
Planting Hydrangea alongside can limit the growth, further resulting in stunting of the Blue Gaura plant.
2. Golden Rule Hypericum
Golden Rule Hypericum and Blue Gaura plants have different sun, water, and soil requirements. Golden Rule Hypericum needs partial light with acidic to alkaline soil and more water for growth. In contrast, Gaura grows in full sunlight with less water and does thrive in poor soil.
Golden Rule Hypericum is a shrub that can shade other plants in the garden. Avoid planting them with Blue Gaura as they may compete for light, making them bad companion plants.
Planting Golden Rule Hypericum alongside can also limit the growth, further resulting in the stunting of the Blue Gaura plant.
3. Pink Perplexion Camellia
Pink Perplexion Camellia and Blue Gaura plants have different soil requirements. Pink Perplexion Camellia needs rich soil, whereas Gaura grows in poor soil.
Blue Gaura will compete for growth when planted with Pink Perplexion Camellia’s broad bushy shrubs. Avoid planting them together as they are not good companion plants.
Planting Pink Perplexion Camellia alongside can limit the growth of the Blue Gaura plant and can result in stunting.
4. Doublefile Viburnum
Doublefile Viburnum and Blue Gaura plants have different requirements for water and soil. Doublefile Viburnum needs continuous water to keep the soil moist with acidic to alkaline soil for growth. In contrast, Gaura grows needs less water and does thrive in poor soil.
Blue Gaura will compete for growth when planted with Doublefile Viburnum as they are deciduous shrubs. Avoid planting them together as they are bad companion plants.
Planting Doublefile Viburnum alongside can limit the growth of the Blue Gaura and can result in plant stunting.
5. Mountain Laurel
Mountain Laurel and Blue Gaura plants have different water and soil requirements. Mountain Laurel needs more water to keep the soil moist and humus-rich for its growth, whereas Gaura needs less water and does thrive in poor soil.
Blue Gaura will compete for growth when planted with Mountain Laurels’ dense evergreen shrubs. Avoid planting them together as they are not companion plants.
Planting Mountain Laurel alongside can limit the growth of the Blue Gaura plant and can result in the gaura’s stunting.
6. Kodiak Orange Diervilla
Kodiak Orange Diervilla and Blue Gaura plants have different requirements for sun and soil. Kodiak Orange Diervilla needs partial light with acidic to alkaline soil for growth. In contrast, Gaura grows in full sunlight and does thrive in poor soil.
Blue Gaura will compete for growth when planted with Kodiak Orange Diervilla as they are densely deciduous shrubs. Planting them together is not recommended.
Planting Kodiak Orange Diervilla alongside can limit the growth of the Blue Gaura plant and can result in stunting.
What Are Gaura’s Growing Requirements?
Every gardener needs to understand the growing requirements when planting certain plants in the garden; let’s look at the Blue Gaura plant’s growing conditions:
1. Sun
One crucial factor for plants’ healthy growth is the amount of sunlight that keeps pests and diseases at bay. The sun requirement for Blue Gaura is full sunlight. In tropical zones, afternoon shades are preferable.
2. Soil
Soil is an essential factor for plants to thrive well. The plant needs moderate soil for healthy growth. They perform best with proper air circulation the plant needs under well-drained soil conditions.
3. Water
Blue Gaura should be watered when the soil is completely dry. They are drought-resistant plants adapted to grow even in harsh conditions. Avoid watering in winter months as they may cause root rot.
4. Fertilizer
Blue Gaura is not a heavy-feeding plant. The lower demand for fertilizer makes them survive even in harsh conditions. If you want, you can add organic manure when preparing the soil for Gaura.
5. Growing Season
Blue Gaura are short-span perennial plants. These plants stay for three to five years. Plant them in the spring season. They start blooming around the summer and autumn seasons.
Grass Diseases And Pests
As an evergreen ornamental plant, Blue Gaura can take hold of a few pests and diseases prone to them.
Nonetheless, diseases can take hold if not adequately cared for. Over-watering, excessive humidity, and moisture can result in root rots.
Understanding the basic requirements to deal with diseases and preventing them is essential to keep Blue Gaura healthy.
Here are some diseases and pests that mainly occur with Blue Gaura.
- Aphids
- Caterpillars
- Flea Beetles
- Japanese Beetles
- Mealybugs
- Scale insects
- Slugs & Snails
Remedies to Protect Blue Gaura From Diseases And Pests
Blue Gaura plants are susceptible to a few pests and are prone to diseases. Here are the steps required to protect Blue Gaura to limit the spreading of diseases and pests.
- Proper air circulation is required to avoid fungal growth.
- Use insecticide sprays if you find any spots in the leaves.
- Applying herbal treatments such as neem oil can help treat garden pests.
- Treating the plant with iron phosphate to ward away slugs and snails.
- If needed, cut out the affected stems or remove their leaves.
Conclusion
The above article discusses Blue Gaura’s six best companion plants with their growing requirements. These companion plants will help in the healthy growth of a plant, and treating them carefully can help deter these pests and diseases.
But, to truly enjoy a healthy garden, you must know which plants to avoid pairing with Blue Gaura.
Happy planting!