Arizona Sun, Gaillardia

Arizona Sun Gaillardia Seed

Crimson, orange, and yellow blaze across every flower
Award-winning plants bloom abundantly on compact mounds
Exceptional drought tolerance fits hot sunny sites
Long color attracts pollinators and brightens containers

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Gaillardia × grandiflora

Days to maturity

105 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

20 Seeds

Zones 3–9 Check your growing zone

About Arizona Sun, Gaillardia Seed, Gaillardia Seed

The Arizona Sun Gaillardia, with its vibrant array of colors and resilient nature, stands as a radiant emblem of the desert landscape. It's striking blooms, a mosaic of crimson, orange, and yellow, evoke the fiery hues of a Southwestern sunset, each petal a testament to nature's artistry. Thriving under the intense Arizona sun, this hardy perennial flaunts its tolerance to drought and heat, making it a beloved choice for xeriscaping enthusiasts and gardeners alike.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/8"

Days to Germination

10–21 days

Germination Type

A - No Pretreatment

In-row plant spacing

14-16"

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Perennial

Hardiness Zone

Zones 3-9

Plant Height

18 inches

Growth Habits

Compact, Mounding

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

10,000

Color

Red, Yellow

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Before Planting

Set aside a sunny, well-drained area for gaillardia, which flowers best without rich soil. Eliminate perennial weeds, loosen the planting zone, and add compost sparingly. Rake the surface fine and firm; fresh seed generally requires no special pretreatment.

Planting

Sow gaillardia outdoors in fall or start indoors according to its germination requirement; many perennial species benefit from a cool period before warmth. Maintain even moisture during germination and provide bright light after emergence. Harden indoor-grown seedlings before planting outdoors. Transplant while young to minimize root disturbance, and thin direct sowings after sturdy true leaves develop.

Watering

Water gaillardia regularly until established, then irrigate deeply only when the soil becomes dry. Avoid frequent shallow watering and saturated conditions, which encourage weak growth or root disease.

Fertilizer

Top-dress gaillardia with compost or apply one balanced feeding in spring. Additional fertilizer is rarely needed unless growth is weak or a soil test identifies a deficiency.

Harvesting

Cut gaillardia flowers when blooms are well colored and at the opening stage best suited to display. Harvest during the cool morning with clean shears, leaving healthy foliage for continued flowering.

Tips

Pinch young gaillardia plants to encourage branching when appropriate, then deadhead regularly to extend flowering. Succession plantings can maintain color after the earliest plants decline.

Pests & Diseases

Gaillardia can develop aster yellows, powdery mildew, leaf spots, and crown rot. Green, distorted flower heads or excessive leafy growth signal aster yellows and require whole-plant removal. Avoid heavy soil and winter wetness, divide only healthy crowns, and clear infected top growth after frost.

Scout gaillardia for sap-feeding aphids, thrips, and mites as well as beetles, slugs, and caterpillars. Handpick beetles and caterpillars, manage slugs near the soil surface, and protect pollinators when treating smaller pests.