Is Whirling Butterflies good for the Colorado Front Range?

Yes, Whirling Butterflies is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.

What should I know before planting Whirling Butterflies?

The main things to know: Self-seeds heavily once established

How far apart do I plant Whirling Butterflies?

Space Whirling Butterflies about 17 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 24 in apart for a looser planting.

Is Whirling Butterflies hardy on the Front Range?

Whirling Butterflies is hardy in USDA 5 to 9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is at its cold edge here. Site it in a warm microclimate and protect young plants.

How much water does Whirling Butterflies need?

It needs low to medium water once established.

Is Whirling Butterflies native to Colorado?

No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.

Is Whirling Butterflies deer-resistant?

Whirling Butterflies is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.

How long does Whirling Butterflies bloom?

Whirling Butterflies blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.

Back to the plant finder

Whirling Butterflies

Gaura lindheimeri

Compiled by Nicholas Julia · Reviewed against CSU Extension & Plant Select® · Updated 2026-10-30

Whirling Butterflies (Gaura lindheimeri) is a perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 24 to 36 in tall and 18 to 24 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Airy white-pink flowers float above the foliage all summer; deer-resistant.

On the CSU listlow to medium water24 to 36 in tall and 18 to 24 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant

Photos

Photo 1: "Gaura lindheimeri" by peganum is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
Photo 2: "Aster tradescantii & Gaura lindheimeri" by peganum is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
Photo 3: "Gaura lindheimeri" by candiru is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/.
Photo 4: "gaura lindheimeri 'rosyjane'" by M. Martin Vicente is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
Photo 5: "gaura lindheimeri 'rosyjane'" by M. Martin Vicente is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
Photo 6: "Gaura lindheimeri" by peganum is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.

At a glance

Will it survive here?

Hardiness zones: USDA 5 to 9
Water needs: low to medium water
Sun: Best in full sun.
Soil: clay, loam, sandy
Soil pH: 6.5 to 8.0
Hail tolerance: high
Wind tolerance: high
Salt tolerance: moderate
Site uses: Slopes & erosion control

How big, what shape?

Mature size: 24 to 36 in tall and 18 to 24 in wide
Planting spacing: ~17 to 24 in apart

What it looks like, and when

Bloom time: mid summer, early fall
Bloom color: white, pink
Bloom length: Long (several weeks)
Foliage: Deciduous

Who else benefits

Pollinator value: high
Deer: Generally deer-resistant
Colorado native: No

Also worth knowing

Fire rating: Not rated

Things to know before you plant

Spreads aggressivelySelf-seeds heavily once established

Planting & establishment

Deep-water first season to establish, then minimal water needed.

Frequently asked questions

Is Whirling Butterflies good for the Colorado Front Range?: Yes, Whirling Butterflies is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
What should I know before planting Whirling Butterflies?: The main things to know: Self-seeds heavily once established
How big does Whirling Butterflies get?: It matures to about 24 to 36 in tall and 18 to 24 in wide.
How far apart do I plant Whirling Butterflies?: Space Whirling Butterflies about 17 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 24 in apart for a looser planting.
Is Whirling Butterflies hardy on the Front Range?: Whirling Butterflies is hardy in USDA 5 to 9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is at its cold edge here. Site it in a warm microclimate and protect young plants.
How much water does Whirling Butterflies need?: It needs low to medium water once established.
Is Whirling Butterflies native to Colorado?: No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
Is Whirling Butterflies deer-resistant?: Whirling Butterflies is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
How long does Whirling Butterflies bloom?: Whirling Butterflies blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.