Gaillardia x grandiflora Fanfare Blaze (Blanket Flower)

Noted for its unique pinwheel blooms, compact tight habit, and exceptionally long flowering period, Gaillardia x grandiflora 'Fanfare Blaze' (Blanket Flower) is a bushy, often short-lived herbaceous perennial with fiery orange-red flowers, up to 2.5 in. across (6 cm), adorned with trumpeted petals and a deep orange-red button in the center. Blooming from early summer into fall, the luminous flowers cover the compact mound of gray-green foliage. Rich in nectar, the flowers are real magnets for butterflies. Drought tolerant, this Blanket Flower requires little care once established. Ideal for containers, beds, and borders.

• Easily grown in a compact mound up to 12-16 in. tall (30-40 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 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.