Big, bold, bright flowers give a suggestion of what this plant is all about. Scarlet ray petals tipped with yellow surround the dark purple centers producing 3-4” flowers that are a must for any hot border. The 12” plants are tough and survive heat, drought, and poor soil while blooming from June to frost. This plant is a true workhorse and that is its greatest virtue and greatest fault. It can bloom its heart out and not return as a perennial should. The plant is such an asset to my garden I never mind planting seeds each year to ensure a supply the following year.
Type: Herbaceous perennial.
Bloom: Four inch flowers with scarlet petals tipped with yellow are borne from June to frost.
Size: 9-12” H x 12-18”W
Light: Full sun.
Soil: Average to poor, well drained.
Hardiness: Zones 3-9.
Care: Deadhead to encourage blooms.
Pests and Diseases: None of importance.
Propagation: Stem cuttings in late summer; root cuttings in early winter; division every 2-3 years; purchased seed.
Companion plants: Nice with golden yellow flowers like threadleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zagreb’) golden rod (Salidago spp); various gold and red daylilies, white Shaste daisies (Leucanthemum ) like ‘Becky; ornamental grasses.
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I love this plant. I actually had some pop up in the lawn last year, and let it go. The butterflies loved it — and it’s so cheerful. No sign of it this year, though.
Kiirstin,
Wow, that is really a tough Gaillaridia you have if can pop up in the lawn. Lucky you; I have never had one move any place.
I’ve seen them in garden centres and hesitated, but not bought any. A long flowering season might encourage me to buy some next time. They are very colourful.
You could probably get seed. It is common in the big box stores as well as the garden centers here and easy to grow from seed. You have to start them now for next year’s bloom, of course, as they are perennials. If your growing season is very long you might get lucky and have them bloom in the same year. Then they would surely come back the following year.