Magnificent Candle: This is the ideal location for Gaura

The elegant blossoms of the magnificent candles seem to float above the ground. The perpetual bloomers show them all summer long until frost. But magnificent candles only bloom permanently in the right location. We show what he looks like.

lighting conditions

The best location for Magnificent candles (Gaura lindheimerii) should meet a few conditions to meet their natural demands, even if they are not particularly demanding in principle. So what does it matter?

• warm, wind-protected, full sun location
• with at least four hours of sun per day
• the more sun, the more lush the bloom
• Flower stalks very fragile, can snap in the wind
• Place plants in front of a south-facing house wall
• sufficient light, protection against strong winds, optimal heat storage

Tip:

Glory candles come in prairie and natural gardens, rebates, gravel and perennial beds particularly well presented.

temperature

As already mentioned, magnificent candles love warmth and can even tolerate their location heat and drought. They feel most comfortable at temperatures between 18 and 24 degrees. But what about cold or frost off?

• Magnificent candles conditionally hardy
• tolerates temperatures down to minus 10 degrees in the bed
• in mild locations overwintering in the bed possible
• nevertheless winter protection recommended
• in the form of a mulch layer or cover
• with brushwood, dry leaves or garden fleece

In colder regions with temperatures well below minus 10 degrees, it makes more sense to generally keep candles in Cultivate in tubs, because here the roots are much more exposed to the icy temperatures than in bed. Keeping them in buckets also makes it easier to switch to a frost-free winter quarters.

soil condition

The nature of the soil is inevitably linked to the location. The sunniest location is of no use if the soil does not meet the needs of the magnificent candles. But what should it be like?

• ideally loose, permeable, dry and poor in nutrients
• not too rich in humus
• sandy-dry to gritty, lean
• normal garden soil is usually sufficient
• heavy and very humic substrates unsuitable
• higher water and nutrient content damages the plants
• Hardly possible to overwinter in these soils
• If necessary, make more permeable with plenty of gravel or sand

Commercial potting soil, for example, is ideal for thriving in the bucket. This should be about 40-50 percent coarse or contain mineral components such as broken expanded clay or expanded clay. In addition, care should be taken to ensure a good drainage layer in the bucket to protect the sensitive roots from waterlogging.

Tip: Winter wetness is the greatest enemy of the magnificent candle and especially in heavy soil, the water cannot drain away and the plants are permanently damaged.

location in winter

In a sheltered location with loose, well-drained soil and appropriate protection, the magnificent candle can easily survive the winter outdoors. The situation is different with magnificent candles in the tub, they need a frost-free overwintering. It can look like this:

• leave outside until the first light frost
• Cut back before moving to winter quarters
• shorten all the shoots
• then bring them into the house, put them in a bright and cool, but frost-free place
• for example basement, garage or unheated conservatory
• Temperatures not above five degrees

The heated apartment or a warm conservatory are unsuitable as a location for the winter. At temperatures above five degrees there is a risk that the plants will sprout early. Pruning before overwintering promotes bud formation and denser branching next spring.

Tip: Any horny shoots that form during the winter can be cut back in the spring.

frequently asked Questions