A new and distinct Gaura plant named ‘Gautalwhi’, characterized by its white flowers, semi-spreading growth habit, abundant flowering and green foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed:Gaura lindheimeri.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinctGauraplant, botanically known asGaura lindheimeri,and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Gautalwhi.’

The new cultivar was developed by the inventor in a controlled breeding program during 1999, at Enkhuizen, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was the development ofGauracultivars with a well-branched, compact habit, continuous flowering, green foliage and early to flower.

The female (seed) parent of ‘Gautalwhi’ was ‘A77-1’, an unpatented proprietary inbredline that is not known by any synonyms. The male (pollen) parent of ‘Gautalwhi’ was ‘A55-1’, also an proprietary inbredline that is not known by any synonyms.

‘Gautalwhi’ was selected in May 2000 as a single flowering plant from within the F3-progeny of the above stated cross and was initially designated ‘C21-4’.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar at Enkhuizen, The Netherlands and Sarrians, France was carried out by the use of terminal stem cuttings, and has demonstrated that theGaurareproduces true to type and the characteristics as herein described are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It was found that the cultivar of the present invention:a) Exhibits white flowers;b) Forms foliage of a green color; andc) Exhibits a semi-spreading, very well-branched growth habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of this newGaura.The data that define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Enkhuizen, Netherlands. The plant history was taken on 16 weeks old plants, blossomed under natural light in a greenhouse and grown in a 13 cm container. Colour readings were taken in the greenhouse under ambient light. Colour references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.