Description
Gaillardia – Blanket Flower –
There are about 30 species of annuals, perennials, and biennials, in this genus. They occur in open, sunny habitats on prairies and Hillsides in the USA, with two species from South America. They bear smooth edged, toothed, lobed or pinnatifid, hairy leaves, produced in basal rosettes and alternately up the stem. On long stems it bears single or double, daisy like in red, orange, or yellow petals from summer until first frost as much as 6″ wide. The numerous cultivars are bushy, leafy plants with brightly colored flowers. They are effective in a sunny border and also good for cutting.
Grow in fertile, well drained soil in full sun, poor soil is tolerated. Deadhead regularly. In colder climates cut perennials back to about 6″ in late summer to encourage new basal growth, which usually overwinters well. Divide perennials in spring. Stake if necessary. They tolerate extreme heat, cold, dryness, and strong winds.
Prone to downy mildew, rust, powdery mildew, white smut, bacterial leaf spots, Septoria leaf spot, and slugs and snails.
G. x grandiflora ‘Wirral Flame’ – This bushy, often short lived perennials is a cross between G. aristat and G. pulchella grows 30″ tall and 18-36″ wide. It produces inversely lance shaped, smooth edged or slightly lobed, sometimes pinnatifid, hairy gray to mid green leaves, to 12″ long. From early summer to early autumn it bears flowers 3-5 ½” across, with yellow-tipped, deep orange red
Zones 3-8
