Scarlet Gaura: Delicate pink flowers, pale leaves

Scarlet Gaura at Grasslands National Park.  © SB

Tufts of Scarlet Gaura grew around our site when we tented recently in Grasslands National Park. None of the tiny red, pink and white flowers were visible, though. The park lawnmowers had taken care of that, and all that remained was a gray-green ground cover.  

But uncut native prairie grasses and plants blossom on the hill above and around the edges of the Frenchman River Campground, and there I found Scarlet Gaura in full bloom. 

(At least, that's one of this delicate flower's many names, which include Scarlet Beeblossom.)  

I first started looking for wildflowers earlier in the day, and the first Scarlet Gaura I saw was far from scarlet. Instead of orange or red, the flowers were very pale pink. 

Almost white, in fact, which is how these flowers first appear, before gradually darkening during the day. 

The flowers I found that evening were much brighter — and the light was a lovely gold.

Pale early Scarlet Gaura flowers.   © SB

Bright orange-red evening Scarlet Gaura flowers. 

Close-up view of a tiny Scarlet Gaura flower.  © SB

Prairie Wildflower: Scarlet Gaura
Location: Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada
Photo Dates: June 13, 2016.

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