Blanket flower, also known as gaillardia, is an easy-to-grow, short-lived wildflower with richly colored, daisy-like blooms. These fast-growing plants mature to 24 inches tall with a 20-inch spread. This garden favorite puts out large showy blossoms in shades of orange, red, yellow, white, purple, and peach throughout the warm season.
Gaillardias are such long-blooming perennials that they work equally well in borders and containers. Blanket flowers do well with other heat-loving plants that thrive in full sun. The flower can reseed and easily sprawl through your garden and can be divided after two years to reinvigorate the plant.
Blanket flowers are usually planted from nursery starts, but grow easily from seeds planted directly in the garden after the last frost date (or started indoors about four to six weeks early). If grown from seed they bloom in their second year but plants purchased from nurseries are typically ready to bloom. The plant is fully hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 10. The blanket flower is slightly toxic to humans.
The Arizona Sun blanket flower (Gaillardia x grandiflora ‘Arizona Sun’) is a popular perennial that brings vibrant colors and visual interest to gardens. This tough drought-tolerant plant thrives in hot, dry conditions making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens and landscapes. In this article, we’ll explore why the Arizona Sun blanket flower is such a prized addition for gardens across many climates.
Overview of the Arizona Sun Blanket Flower
The Arizona Sun blanket flower is a hybrid cultivar of the perennial blanket flower species, Gaillardia x grandiflora. It was bred by a horticulturist in Holland and introduced to the commercial market in 2005 by Goldsmith Seeds. That same year, it won the prestigious All-America Selections award for its outstanding performance across North America.
Some key features that make the Arizona Sun blanket flower stand out include:
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Large, single daisy-like flowers in a striking red and yellow bicolor pattern. The red petals have bright yellow fringed tips.
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Blooms throughout the summer and into fall Provides months of vibrant color
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Grows 10-12 inches tall and 12-15 inches wide. Has a mounded, compact habit.
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Thrives in full sun and hot, dry conditions. Drought tolerant once established.
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Excellent resistance to powdery mildew and other common diseases.
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Attracts butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
Growing Conditions for Arizona Sun Blanket Flowers
One reason the Arizona Sun blanket flower is so popular is its adaptability to various climates and growing conditions. Here is an overview of its ideal habitat:
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Hardiness Zones: Perennial in zones 3-10. Can be grown as an annual in colder zones.
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Sun exposure: Full sun is best, minimum of 6 hours/day.
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Soil: Prefers poor, well-drained soils. Avoid rich soils. Average garden soil is fine.
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Watering: Drought tolerant once established. Water 1-2 times per week until established, then reduce frequency.
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Fertilizer: Use a low or zero phosphorus fertilizer at planting time. Avoid rich fertilizers which cause floppy growth.
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Maintenance: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Trim back by 1/3 after main flush of summer flowers.
How to Use Arizona Sun Blanket Flowers in the Landscape
Arizona Sun blanket flowers make a big impact planted en masse in flower beds, borders, and containers. The bold red and yellow flowers pop against green foliage. Here are some tips for using them in your landscape:
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Plant in groups of 3, 5, 7 or more for a high color impact. Space 12-15 inches apart.
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Mix them with grasses, sedums, Russian sage and other full sun perennials.
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Use in rock gardens, cottage gardens, meadow gardens, and more.
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Plant in containers and window boxes. Allow some trailing over the edges.
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Cut flowers for bouquets – they last up to 2 weeks!
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Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds to the garden.
Caring for Arizona Sun Blanket Flowers
Arizona Sun blanket flowers are one of the easiest perennials to grow. They require minimal care to thrive:
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Water deeply 1-2 times per week until established the first year. Then water only as needed.
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Apply a low phosphorus fertilizer at planting time and again in midsummer if plants look stressed.
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Prune back spent flower stems during the summer to encourage more blooms.
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Cut plants back to 6 inches after flowering slows in fall. Mulch for winter protection.
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Divide clumps every 2-3 years in spring to maintain vigor. Replant the divisions.
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Monitor for signs of powdery mildew and treat if found. Excellent disease resistance.
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Watch for slugs and snails which may chew leaves and flowers – apply bait if they become a problem.
The Bottom Line
With its non-stop flowers through the hottest months, drought tolerance, and bold color impact, it’s easy to see why the Arizona Sun blanket flower is a highly awarded variety. This tough, resilient perennial fills gardens with vibrant color and provides an easy-care option for challenging climates and soils. If you’re looking to add vibrant hues and lightweight textures to your full sun gardens, the Arizona Sun blanket flower is sure to shine.
Potting and Repotting Blanket Flowers
If you have very rich or poorly draining clay garden soil, its best to plant blanket flowers in containers with plenty of drainage holes. Fill a large container with a loose and well-draining potting mix. Potted plants typically need more water than garden plants and blanket flower is no exception even though they are drought-tolerant. If your container is in full sun and its hot, your blanket flowers may benefit from a daily drink of water.
Fertilizer
Go easy or avoid fertilizing blanket flowers. Poor soils seem to encourage more flowering than rich soils.
Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’ & Celebration (Blanket Flower)//BOLD, Colorful NATIVE Perennial Varieties
FAQ
Does Arizona sun blanket flower spread?
Also known as blanket flower, the Arizona Sun Blanket Flower naturally spreads out, making it an excellent ground cover.
Is Gaillardia Arizona Sun a perennial or annual?
This compact and uniform perennial produces masses of large, 3″ diameter, fiery orange-red blooms tipped by a ring of rich flame yellow. Butterflies are highly attracted to its bright colors.
Does Gaillardia come back every year?
Yes, most blanket flower (Gaillardia) varieties are perennials and will come back year after year. However, they are often considered short-lived perennials, typically lasting for 2-3 years. To encourage them to persist, regular deadheading and division can be helpful.
How do you care for Arizona Sun Gaillardia?
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!