Gaillardia Arizona Red Shades

Of all of the Gaillardia fowers, Arizona Red Shades, is a bit more elegant in its presentation with its primarily red flowers that have just a bit of yellow around the outside tips of some petals.  I have loved Gaillardia flowers for years but did not buy them because their carnival masses of orange/red/yellow blooms were a bit much for my understated style.

This is the first year that I have seen two Gaillardia plants with deep red flowers, and both varieties are Gaillardia Blanket Flowers which only grow 10 to 12 inches high.  As the readers of this blog know, I am a backyard Gardner in an urban area which means that small plant varieties allow me to have a great deal more variety in a small space.

I will compare the habit of Gaillardia Arizona Red Shades to  Gaillardia Gallo Red through the summer growing season.  But let's start with an introduction to Gaillardia Arizona Red Shades.

Gaillardia Arizona Red Shades is a Blanket Flower variety in the Gaillardia plant family.  This means it has a maximum height of 12".  Different heights seen from different sources across the web say anywhere from 8" to 12".  This Gaillardia flowering perennial thrives in zones 3 to 9.  After the first year it is very drought tolerant and will grow in any soil type except for very heavy clay.  Blooming from May to frost, this long blooming perennial has flowers that are approximately 2 to 3 inches across, are primarily red with a red center but some flowers have yellow tips to their petals as they mature. 

Deadheading Gaillardia Arizona Red Shades is not necessary but will help encourage blooming.  This variety grows easily from seed and will flower in its first year (other Gaillardia's begin to flower in their 2nd year).

Full sun ensures ongoing blooms.  If placed in a spot that is too shady it will flop over and produce fewer flowers.  Place plants a foot apart.  Prune spent plant material just after first frost.