Mesa Red, Gaillardia

Mesa Red Gaillardia Seed

Crimson petals finish with vivid golden tips
Strong plants deliver bold contrast through summer
Drought tolerance supports low-water sunny gardens
Large daisies enliven borders and pollinator beds

See product details

Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Gaillardia × grandiflora

Days to maturity

112 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

15 Seeds

Zones 3–9 Check your growing zone

About Mesa Red, Gaillardia Seed, Gaillardia Seed

The Mesa Red Blanket Flower is a striking and robust plant that commands attention with its bold colors and hardy demeanor. Its large, daisy-like flowers feature deep crimson-red petals with vibrant yellow tips, creating a vivid contrast that is both dramatic and captivating. Native to the arid regions of the southwestern United States, this Gaillardia variety thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, demonstrating exceptional tolerance to drought and heat.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/8"

Days to Germination

10–21 days

Germination Type

A - No Pretreatment

In-row plant spacing

14-16"

Row Spacing

24-36"

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

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.