Gaillardia x grandiflora Arizona Sun (Blanket Flower)

Reminiscent of the desert sun in Arizona, Gaillardia x grandiflora 'Arizona Sun' (Blanket Flower) produces 3 in. wide (7 cm), single flowers with mahogany red rays adorned with a golden-yellow ring at their tips. This short-lived perennial is renowned for its profuse, long-lasting, colorful mounds of bright flowers atop attractive gray-green foliage from early summer to fall. Rich in nectar, the flowers are real magnets for butterflies!

• Won multiple awards including the All-America selection Award (2005) and FleuroSelect Gold Medal award for its garden performance
• Easily grown in a compact mound up to 8-10 in. tall (20-55 cm) and 10-12 in wide (25-30 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.