Grail for Sale (Gallardia )
Posted by John Friel on Oct 13th 2021
“Why do you think I have this outrageous accent?”
A backbone of the sunny border, “blanket flower” is loved world-wide for its array of bright, cheerful, often bicolor blooms. Butterflies and goldfinches are also big fans.
Multiple petals on daisy-like flowers feature toothy fluted tips. Puffy gold/red centers remain attractive and interesting even after petals drop.
Flower colors cluster in the warm end of the spectrum – fitting for this American native, which is most widespread in the West and Southwest. Here are two of our favorites.
From the AAS-Award-winning Arizona Series, ‘Arizona Sun’ covers itself with big 3” daisies, red-orange with yellow edges, all summer and well into fall. First-year flowering means they go from zero to retail-ready in record time.
Height 12”.
Hardy in Zones 3 – 10
Gaillardia xgrandiflora ‘Goblin’
This classic dwarf form features cheery bicolor flowers. Petals are carmine red with bright yellow tips. Sometimes sold as Kobold, German for goblin.
Height 10 – 12”.
Hardy in Zones 3 – 10.
What’s in a Nom?
Gaillardia is named for Antoine Rene’ Gaillard de Charentonneau. This French magistrate and amateur botanist paid explorers to ship him plants and seeds from the French colonies in the mid-18th century, and shared them with fellow scientists and plant enthusiasts.
It Gets Worse
If you think Monsieur Gaillard’s moniker is a tongue-twister, try Auguste Denis Fougeroux de Bondaroy. He’s the plant physiologist and naturalist who named Gaillardia in Antoine’s honor in 1788.
Shed some sunlight – the more the better – on a little French/American history. Your quest for the finest Gaillardia in the realm ends here: It comes in easy-planting, quick-finishing 72-cell liners from Emerald Coast Growers – your easy choice!