Arizona Sun Blanket Flower

Arizona Sun Blanket Flower (Gaillardia x grandiflora 'Arizona Sun') is a herbaceous perennial about 30 to 40cm high and 50 to 60cm wide, with slender green leaves. Its large orange-red daisies have a raised yellow eye and yellow tips on the petals, and they bloom through the warmer months. It is a tough, sun-loving plant for pots, borders and hot, dry spots.

Why you'll love it

• A long flowering season. Blooms run from spring right through summer and autumn, especially if you clip over to deadhead from time to time.
• Bold orange-red daisies. Big flowers with a bright fringe of golden yellow make a strong show in pots and borders.
• Frost hardy and drought tolerant. It is frost hardy, and drought tolerant once established.
• Fine in poor soil. Poor, dry soils do not worry it, though it prefers free-draining ground.
• Butterflies love it. The flowers attract butterflies.

Where it works best

Mixed beds and borders. Plant 45cm apart at the front of a sunny border, where the plants knit together as they spread to 50 to 60cm.

Hot, dry, sunny places. It suits the baked corners where many perennials struggle.

Cottage gardens and pots. Its easy-going nature and bright flowers suit cottage plantings, and a pot gives colourful results quickly with regular water and feeding.

Growing Arizona Sun Blanket Flower in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun. It is frost hardy and drought tolerant once established, and it loves it hot and sunny. Growth may slow in the heat of midsummer.

Soil. Free-draining soil in full sun. Plants are shorter-lived in heavy clay, and do not mind poor, dry soils.

Water and feed. Mulch with organic matter and water until the plants are established, and again in dry spells. They flower better with regular watering. Feed during flowering.

Pruning. Regular removal of dead flowers prolongs flowering. Clip over to deadhead once in a while.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Arizona Sun Blanket Flower as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It also comes in 140mm pots in packs of 10. The pots give you colour fast in pots and borders, while tube stock is a good way to fill a larger bed over the season. Plant out in full sun, mulch, and water until established.

Arizona Sun Blanket Flower tubes come from our grower rather than our own benches, so they are not always available. When the tube reads sold out, use the notify button on the page and you will be emailed the day it is back. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Bee and butterfly friendly plants
• Drought tolerant plants
• Plants for pots
• Perennials for a cottage garden

Common questions

How do I keep it flowering?

Remove dead flowers regularly, water consistently, and feed during flowering. Blanket flowers flower better with regular watering.

Will it survive frost?

Yes, it is frost hardy, and it is drought tolerant once established.

Does it suit clay soil?

It prefers free-draining soil. Plants are shorter-lived in heavy clay, so improve drainage or use a raised bed.