Arizona Sun Flower
by Kay Novy
Title
Arizona Sun Flower
Artist
Kay Novy
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
WATERMARK FINE ART AMERICA WILL NOT APPEAR ON YOUR PURCHASED ORDER.
Gaillardia, or Blanket Flower, is a short-lived perennial with richly colored, daisy-like flowers. There are over two dozen species of Gaillardia and most are native to some area of North America. Gaillardia pulchella, which is native from southeastern U.S. through to Colorado and south into Mexico, was cross bred with Gaillardia aristata, a prairie flower, to create Gaillardia X grandiflora. Most of the modern blanket flowers are Gaillardia X grandiflora
Gaillarida forms a slowly spreading mound. Although generally short lived, it can reseed and sprawl through the garden. Since the original plants are hybrids, expect some variation from self-seeding.
Leaves: Lance-shaped gray-green leaves are sometimes lobed.
Flowers: 3-5" across, in various shades of yellow and red. Some have petals surrounding a center disk which produces florets. Others have trumpet-shaped florets surround the entire disk.
Soil: Gaillardia is not particular about soil pH, but it does need a well-draining soil. It will grow in somewhat moist conditions, but heavy clay soil will probably kill it. Once established, Gaillardia is extremely drought tolerant. Poor soils seem to encourage more flowering than rich soils.
Planting Heuchera: You can find seed of many Gaillardia x grandiflora varieties. You can sow them in the spring, but they may not flower the first year. You could get a head start by sowing in late summer and protecting the young plants over the winter.
Gaillardia x grandiflora is more commonly grown from purchased plants. Since the plants can be short-lived and they don't grow true from seed, it is best to divide the plants every 2-3 years, to keep them going.
Plant Gaillardia x grandiflora any time after frost and keep them well watered until you see them actively growing. Then you can ease up on the water and let them acclimate to your garden.
Uploaded
June 19th, 2014
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