Gaillardia x grandiflora Arizona Apricot (Blanket Flower)

Free-flowering, award-winner Gaillardia x grandiflora 'Arizona Apricot' (Blanket Flower) is a bushy, often short-lived herbaceous perennial with large, rich apricot flowers, up to 3.5 in. wide (8 cm), adorned with multiple rows of pointed petals. Each petal exhibits yellow tips and surrounds a darker orange center, which gives way to attractive globe-shaped seed heads. Blooming from early summer into fall, the daisy-like flowers cover the compact, uniform mound of bright green foliage. Rich in nectar, the flowers are real magnets for butterflies. Drought and heat tolerant, this Blanket Flower requires little care once established. This plant is rated highly for its all-around garden performance and long flowering season. Blooms profusely even in the first year.

• Winner of the All-America selection Award (2011).
• Easily grown in a compact mound up to 12 in. tall and wide (30 cm).
• Thrives in full sun, in average, medium, well-drained soils, in rocky or sandy places. Although dry soils tolerant, it prefers moist soils. but good drainage is essential.
• Easy care plant with few insect or disease problems. Rarely eaten by deer.
• A wonderful addition to the garden, this enthusiastic bloomer is well suited to perennial borders, containers, cottage gardens, butterfly gardens, or cutting gardens. Makes excellent cut flowers.
• Easy to grow from seed in the garden after the last frost or indoors 4-6 weeks earlier.
• Remove faded flowers to encourage further blooms.
• Blanket flowers are often relatively short-lived. Cutting back clumps to 6 in. in late summer (15 cm) often increases their chances of winter survival. You can also keep your plants vigorous by dividing them every 2-3 years in spring or early fall.