Blanket flower (Gaillardia 'Arizona Sun')
The colorful Gaillardia 'Arizona Sun' Blanket flower is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant perennial perfect for sunny, hot borders.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’, commonly known as Blanket flower, is a sensational flowering perennial prized for its vibrant, long-lasting summer color. This AAS winning cultivar brings massive visual impact with fiery orange-red blossoms tipped in sunny yellow, making it a focal point in any garden space. It is inherently valuable due to its exceptional resilience, thriving in difficult conditions where many other ornamentals struggle.
Culturally, Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’ is easy to please, preferring full sun and tolerating dry to medium moisture conditions once established. Its compact, mounding habit creates neat structure in borders, minimizing the need for constant upkeep. Gardeners appreciate this Blanket flower for providing consistent, bright floral displays from late spring well into the heat of summer.
This robust plant is suitable for a wide range of applications, from mixed perennial borders to hot, sunny container arrangements. Growing Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’ is an excellent way to introduce drought tolerance and brilliant color into sustainable, low-water landscapes or butterfly gardens.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.5-1 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: May to August
- Bloom Description: Orange red with yellow-tipped petals
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’ is best accomplished in the spring after the danger of hard frost has passed or in early fall in milder climates. Choose a location that receives absolute full sun, as insufficient light will result in sparse flowering and weaker stems. While they prefer averagely moist, well-drained soil initially, these Blanket flowers truly excel when drainage is excellent, as they absolutely despise sitting in soggy conditions.
Maintenance for this low-care perennial is minimal. Water deeply but infrequently, especially during dry spells, as established plants tolerate drought well. Fertilizing is rarely necessary; rich soils can sometimes lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers. For best performance, deadhead spent blossoms regularly throughout the season to encourage continuous reblooming.
If the Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’ starts to look tired or leggy during the peak of summer, do not hesitate to shear it back moderately toward its basal growth. This rejuvenation cut reinvigorates the plant, prompting a fresh flush of foliage and more flowers for the remainder of the season. Proper air circulation and avoiding heavy clay soils are the best preventative measures against common fungal issues.
Landscape Uses
The striking bicolors of Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’ make them invaluable additions when designing perennial borders requiring consistent, fiery color. Their naturally tidy, mounding habit ensures they don’t sprawl, working perfectly as mid-layer specimens between shorter groundcovers and taller background plants. They look magnificent when paired with silvery foliage plants or blue-flowering companions that provide contrast to the intense orange-red palette.
Beyond traditional borders, this Blanket flower is an excellent choice for cottage gardens where a slightly wild, yet contained, look is desired. For gardeners looking to attract pollinators, Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’ serves as an excellent addition to a butterfly garden due to its rich nectar production and steady blooming schedule. Furthermore, due to their manageable size, they perform handsomely in large patio containers, offering bold color near seating areas.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Good Cut
Noteworthy Characteristics
Gaillardia is a genus of about 30 species of annuals, perennials and biennials found in West, Central and South America. They are mostly found in open sunny prairie and hillsides, and they are widely grown for their bright flowers. The specific cultivar ‘Arizona Sun’ was bred by Benary and achieved recognition as a 2005 All-America Selection® winner, known for its compact nature and 3 to 4 inch wide, fiery blooms.
Tolerances
- Drought
Potential Problems
The primary health concern for Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’ relates directly to drainage. Root rot is a high risk if the soil remains waterlogged, particularly during extended periods of heavy summer rain, so amending heavy soils for sharp drainage is critical. Culturally susceptible to powdery mildew, aster yellows, and fungal leaf spot diseases, ensuring good air circulation through proper spacing is the best preventative medicine. Gardeners should also actively monitor for common pests like aphids and leafminers, treating infestations promptly with insecticidal soap if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Blanket flower suitable for?
Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’ is highly adaptable across USDA Zones 3 through 10, offering reliable performance across many regions.
How large does Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’ grow?
This variety typically reaches a height between 0.5 to 1 foot tall and spreads to occupy 1 to 1.5 feet in width.
What sun exposure does Blanket flower need?
For the most robust growth and best flowering display, Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’ must be planted in a location receiving full sun exposure throughout the day.
When does Blanket flower bloom?
This cultivar provides a beautiful display of orange red with yellow-tipped petals consistently from May through August.
Conclusion
Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’ remains a top selection for gardeners seeking low-maintenance color that thrives in heat and drought. This magnificent Blanket flower offers stunning, long-lasting blooms essential for sunny borders and water-wise landscapes. Before planting, ensure your site offers full sun and excellent drainage to maximize the rewarding performance of your new Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’.
Companion Planting
When selecting partners for Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’, focus on plants that share similar needs for full sun and well-drained, average soil. Plants with silvery or blue foliage create a stunning contrast against the Blanket flower’s warm tones. Consider pairing your Gaillardia with drought-tolerant companions such as Sedum (Stonecrop), Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), or ornamental grasses like Blue Fescue. Avoid moisture-loving companions, as these will inevitably compete against the Blanket flower’s need for drier feet.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring preparation for Gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun’ involves clearing away any winter debris and applying a light layer of compost if soil quality is poor; avoid heavy fertilization. Summer is the time to focus on maximizing blooms by deadheading spent flowers consistently; this simple act encourages the plant to push out new flower buds. In the fall, cut back the foliage of the Blanket flower to about 3-4 inches above the soil line as it begins to enter dormancy. Little to no winter protection is needed in zones 3-10, as this perennial is hardy and requires cold to overwinter successfully.
