Hi all -- I have two whirling butterflies potted in a container together
that I never got into the ground in the fall. The foliage died back over
the winter, but they haven't sprouted up yet this spring. They're in a
sunny place on my patio and have been kept moist. Might they have died due
to the cold, snowy winter we had this year? I'm in Northern VA, zone 7a/b.
Does anyone have experience with these plants? I really loved the dancing
white flowers...I hope they didn't die!

Thanks,

Rhonda
Alexandria, VA

From: "Natty_Dread"
Date: Sat, Apr 26, 2003 10:16 AM
Message-id:

Hi all -- I have two whirling butterflies potted in a container together
that I never got into the ground in the fall. The foliage died back over
the winter, but they haven't sprouted up yet this spring. They're in a
sunny place on my patio and have been kept moist. Might they have died
due
to the cold, snowy winter we had this year? I'm in Northern VA, zone 7a/b.
Does anyone have experience with these plants? I really loved the dancing
white flowers...I hope they didn't die!

Thanks,

Rhonda
Alexandria, VA


The problem with leaving some perennials in containers outdoors over winters in
colder zones is that the roots may become colder than the temps of ground soil.
Hardy perennials can winter over if they're planted in the ground, because
soil temperature doesn't go much below freezing. In pots, what with rain and
snow and harsh winds, the roots will become a frozen mass alternating with
temporary thaws. Given that it's Gaura, which is known to be short-lived
anyway, they had a lot to contend with. That said, you may want to leave them
for a while. Gaura can often show up late. Good luck.

Best,
Tyra
nNJ usa (z6b)

"Tyra Trevellyn" wrote in message
...
From: "Natty_Dread"
Date: Sat, Apr 26, 2003 10:16 AM
Message-id:

Hi all -- I have two whirling butterflies potted in a container together
that I never got into the ground in the fall. The foliage died back over
the winter, but they haven't sprouted up yet this spring. They're in a
sunny place on my patio and have been kept moist. Might they have died
due
to the cold, snowy winter we had this year? I'm in Northern VA, zone
7a/b.
Does anyone have experience with these plants? I really loved the
dancing
white flowers...I hope they didn't die!

Thanks,

Rhonda
Alexandria, VA


The problem with leaving some perennials in containers outdoors over
winters in
colder zones is that the roots may become colder than the temps of ground
soil.
Hardy perennials can winter over if they're planted in the ground,
because
soil temperature doesn't go much below freezing. In pots, what with rain
and
snow and harsh winds, the roots will become a frozen mass alternating with
temporary thaws. Given that it's Gaura, which is known to be short-lived
anyway, they had a lot to contend with. That said, you may want to leave
them
for a while. Gaura can often show up late. Good luck.

Best,
Tyra
nNJ usa (z6b)

Thanks, Tyra...I'll hope for the best! :-)

Guara lindheimerii 'Whirling Butterflies' is a native to Texas plant. They
reseed readily down here, but in the norther regions tend to rot in cold wet
soils. I say keep the container only moderately moist and wait till the soil is
much warmer than it is now. Mine stay evergreen all winter and I'm in 8b-9a

Victoria-give them at least till end of May.


On Sat, 26 Apr 2003 10:16:01 -0400, "Natty_Dread" wrote:

Hi all -- I have two whirling butterflies potted in a container together
that I never got into the ground in the fall. The foliage died back over
the winter, but they haven't sprouted up yet this spring. They're in a
sunny place on my patio and have been kept moist. Might they have died due
to the cold, snowy winter we had this year? I'm in Northern VA, zone 7a/b.
Does anyone have experience with these plants? I really loved the dancing
white flowers...I hope they didn't die!

Thanks,

Rhonda
Alexandria, VA