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Gaillardia x grandiflora

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
gay-LAR-dee-uh gran-duh-FLOR-uh
Description

This Blanket Flower is a hybrid of the perennial gaillardia (G. aristata) and a 2’ tall annual gaillardia (G. pulchella) and is generally short-lived. It is naturalized on coastal dunes and is resistant to damage by deer. There are several cultivars available to extend the color and height availability.

Most grow 1-3 feet tall with a 2-foot spread and if kept deadheaded will bloom most of the season. The stems and leaves are densely hairy and the flowers are often bi-colored and daisy-like.

Good drainage is a must as they will not survive the winter in poorly drained clay soils. Amend the soil with humus and keep evenly moist. They can survive some drought once established. Use this plant to add bright colors to the front of the border, in containers, on the patio or along walkways. Bees and butterflies will visit the flowers and if some seeds are left to form, goldfinches will eat them.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Erect herb with terminal head, center reddish, flattened dome-shaped
  • Ray flowers large, outer, red with yellow apices

 Susceptible to powdery mildew, leaf spot, aster yellows, and leafhoppers, but none regarded as serious problems.

 

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Pollinator Garden in Full Sun Entryway Garden, Cabarrus County Extension Office
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Baby Cole'
    Dwarf
  • 'Burgundy'
    Tall
  • 'Dazzler'
    Tall
  • 'Goblin'
    Dwarf
  • 'Golden Goblin'
    Yellow flowers
  • 'Oranges and Lemons'
    Orange rays with yellow tips
  • 'Torchlight'
    Red center, yellow tips
'Baby Cole', 'Burgundy', 'Dazzler', 'Goblin', 'Golden Goblin', 'Oranges and Lemons', 'Torchlight'
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#summer flowers#long bloom time#border planting#pollinator plant#naturalized area#fantz#walkway planting#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#container plant#perennial#patio#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Baby Cole'
    Dwarf
  • 'Burgundy'
    Tall
  • 'Dazzler'
    Tall
  • 'Goblin'
    Dwarf
  • 'Golden Goblin'
    Yellow flowers
  • 'Oranges and Lemons'
    Orange rays with yellow tips
  • 'Torchlight'
    Red center, yellow tips
'Baby Cole', 'Burgundy', 'Dazzler', 'Goblin', 'Golden Goblin', 'Oranges and Lemons', 'Torchlight'
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#summer flowers#long bloom time#border planting#pollinator plant#naturalized area#fantz#walkway planting#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#container plant#perennial#patio#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Gaillardia
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Western USA
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract butterflies and bees. Gold Finches will eat the seeds.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    A terminal head, solitary on elongate peduncles, 2.5-4" diam.; receptable reddish to orangish-red pappus. Ray flowers bicolored, red to reddish-purple, with apex yellow; disc flowers purple or yellow.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cuneate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate, simple, grayish-green, bluntly acute, cuneate to sub attenuate, hirsute; lower leaves 8-10" long, dentate to shallowly, pinnately lobed, petiolate; upper leaves reduced, becoming entire, sessile and +/- clasping.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Dry Soil
    Humidity
    Rabbits
    Salt
    Problems:
    Short-lived