Every now and then, a guest asks us about something small they have noticed around the estate.
Recently, it has been the delicate white flowers that seem to float and dance whenever the Cretan breeze passes through the gardens. So, we thought we would share their story. This beautiful plant is Gaura lindheimeri, also known as Gaura, Wandflower or Lindheimer’s Beeblossom. With its slender stems and star-shaped flowers, it has an almost weightless quality, perfectly at home in the relaxed landscape of Beach House Arvi. The Royal Horticultural Society describes Gaura as a graceful perennial with airy flowers appearing over the summer and into autumn.
A flower made for summer
Gaura is particularly well suited to warm, sunny environments. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil and, once established, is notably tolerant of dry conditions. Its flowering season is wonderfully long, beginning around late spring or early summer and continuing into early autumn, depending on the variety and conditions.
At Beach House Arvi, this means that during the warmer months, guests can see these delicate flowers moving gently among the greenery, adding another layer of softness to the landscape. In the strong Cretan light, the pale blooms almost seem to disappear into the horizon, until a breeze catches them and they begin to move again.
Why is it called Wandflower or Bee Blossom?
The name Wandflower is easy to understand when you see it: its long, slender stems rise above the foliage like delicate wands. The name Bee Blossom, meanwhile, reflects its appeal to pollinators; Gaura is recognised by the RHS as a plant suitable for pollinators.
There does not appear to be an ancient Cretan myth or traditional legend specifically connected to Gaura. Its story is instead a botanical one: the plant is native to the southern United States and has found its way into gardens around the world. Modern interpretations sometimes associate its airy form and resilience with ideas such as freedom, transformation and endurance — qualities that seem particularly fitting for a flower that continues to bloom beneath the summer sun.
A little piece of the landscape
At Beach House Arvi, we believe luxury is often found in the details. It is the sound of the sea from the terrace, the changing colours of the Cretan landscape, the shade of a tree in the afternoon, and a delicate flower moving in the breeze as you walk past.
These are the details that make a place feel connected to its surroundings rather than simply built within them.
Come and discover them for yourself. Explore the gardens, swim in the sea, slow down beneath the Cretan sun and notice the little things that make a stay at Beach House Arvi unique. If you are planning a private villa holiday in Crete, we would be delighted to share more about the estate, our villas and available dates.
Enquire about your stay at Beach House Arvi and come experience southern Crete at its most peaceful.