Gaillardia Daisy - Aristata

The Gaillardia, sometimes referred to as 'blanket flower', is a mainstay for most any garden. It is an herbaceous perennial that reseeds prolifically but is not invasive. Its hardiness zones are 3 to 10.

Its bloom is a brilliant red daisy-like form and is tinged with yellow at the edge of each bloom. The plant grows from two to three feet tall and is as wide as it is tall; therefore it makes a good middle of the bed planting. It's growth is bushy but if denied full sun, it will get leggy and sprawl. It's a great eye-catching filler plant. It can also be used as an accent plant.

Plumbago, coreopsis and yarrow makes good companion plantings for the Gaillardia.

The Gaillardia makes a fantastic cut flower and can last up to two weeks in an arrangement. A positive here is that the more you cut, the more it blooms.

Minimal water and fertilizer keeps the plant in continuous bloom from early spring until frost. Its only requirement is full sun. It is totally disease and pest free.

One package of these seed was purchased several years ago and since then, I have shared plants with almost all of my gardening friends - while keeping plenty for myself.