Gaillardia aristata Arizona Sun - Great Blanket Flower

Gaillardia aristata 'Arizona Sun' is a dwarf variety with large scarlet and yellow flowers, adorned with a burgundy-coloured centre.

Gaillardia aristata, or blanketflower, is a member of the Asteraceae family. It grows in large clumps in sunny and dry prairies of North America. Its warm colours, undemanding nature, and long flowering period is highly appreciated. This perennial has a very upright habit and can reach a height of 60 to 70cm (24 to 28in) (depending on the varieties) and a width of 25cm (10in). It bears an abundance of stems, with each one carrying a solitary daisy-like flower in a warm colour. The tubular and imperceptibly fuzzy central ligules take on shades of ochre brown, red, or amber. The florets that form the collar are scarlet at the base and saffron yellow at the tips, where they form two or several well-defined lobes. The irregularly placed ligules give the flower a somewhat tousled appearance. Depending on the varieties, the proportion of yellow, red, and orange varies and reflects a specific dominant colour that you can appreciate from June to September. The foliage is deciduous, lanceolate, and pubescent, often taking on a green-greyish hue.

Gaillardia aristata 'Arizona Sun' makes one think of the red earth of the Grand Canyon under the almost golden-orange light of the setting sun. The 8cm (3in) diameter flowers form a dense collar of scarlet florets tipped with yellow, with a yellow-green centre surrounded by burgundy. This variety reaches a height of 35cm (14in) and is best used as ground cover in border beds or mixed borders. For some gardeners, this plant is synonymous with a natural garden. For others, it is an integral part of a pollinator-friendly garden that will attract bees and butterflies. It is universally agreed that it brightens up all parts of the garden.

Plant it in a meadow with leucanthemum or white scabiosa. Gaillardia likes light, well-drained, and rich soils. It is not afraid of drought or heat, so it can be planted in full sun. As it self-seeds abundantly, be sure to remove faded flowers to encourage new blooms and prevent it from spreading too much. However, even when faded, it retains undeniable ornamental interest.