Gaillardia 'The Sun' |
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Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.
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| | Common Name: Blanket Flower |
Bright golden yellow petals surround the yellowish-orange, button-like center. Since these daisy-like blooms keep on coming from early summer into fall, they provide continuous color in containers and will keep your vases full of fresh blanket flower bouquets all season long. Best when planted en masse. They even attract butterflies!
These perennials require little care once established. They are heat tolerant and actually prefer to be grown in poorer soils. They get their name from the manner in which they used to blanket North American prairies with their blooms. They can still be found in fields and along roadsides in the prairie region and into the Rockies.
Origin: Native Cultivar
Characteristics:
Height:
15 Inches
Spread:
15 Inches
Flower Color:
Yellow Shades
Foliage Color:
Green shades
Sun or Shade?:
Full sun (> 6 hrs. direct sun)
Wet or dry?:
Low water needs
Average water needs
Want to see wings?:
Attracts butterflies
Need critter resistant plants?:
Deer resistant
How fast should it grow?:
Medium
When should it bloom?:
Early summer
Midsummer
Late summer
Early fall
How's your soil?:
Poor Soil
Average Soil
Sweet or Sour Soil?:
Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0)
Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)
What's your garden style?:
Container/Patio
Eclectic
Gaillardia requires full sun and well-drained soil in order to prosper. Given too much shade, the plants tend to flop over. Though they will perform best in moist soils, they are highly drought tolerant. Do not enrich the soil with compost or other rich ingrediants when planting this perennial. It does best in poor, loose soils and does not tolerate heavy clay.
Plants may be divided every 2-3 years in either spring or fall and are also easily grown from seed. Deadheading spent blooms will prolong the bloom time.