Gaillardia

Blanket Flower
Asteraceae (Compositae)
Annuals, Perennials, Flowers

Native to much of the U.S. Low-growing summer bloomers with daisy-like flowers in warm colors—yellow, bronze, scarlet. Plants thrive in heat, need good drainage. Easy to grow from seed and fine for cutting and borders; often reseed.

Gaillardia aristata

Parent of popular hybrid G. X grandiflora. Has been largely replaced in garden culture by its many offspring, but the wild form is still much used in revegetation and wildflower mixes. Grows to 2–2 1/2 ft. tall and 2 ft. across. Flower heads to 4 in. wide are yellow to red; the most common form has red rays with a jagged yellow border.

Gaillardia pulchella

To 1 1/2– 2 ft. high, 1 ft. wide, with soft, hairy leaves and long, whiplike stems carrying 2-in. flowers in warm shades of red, yellow, gold. Easy to grow; sow seeds in warm soil after danger of frost is past (in Zones 12 and 13, sow in fall). 'Red Plume' and 'Yellow Plume' are double flowered, with 2-in. blossoms on uniform 12–14-in. plants.

Gaillardia X grandiflora

Hybrid of G. aristata and G. pulchella. Grows to 2–4 ft. high, 1 1/2 ft. wide, with roughish gray-green foliage and single or double flowers 3–4 in. across. Much variation in flower color; range includes various warm shades of red and yellow, with orange or maroon bands. Exceptionally long bloom period for perennial–early summer until frost. Plants flower first year from seed.

'Fanfare'

Compact grower to just 1 ft. tall, 1 1/2 ft. wide, with deep red, trumpet-shaped petals tipped in bright yellow.

Arizona Sun

Compact, uniform plant to about 10 in. tall and 12 in. wide, loaded with large flowers. Each bright red petal is tipped in yellow.