Gaillardia 'SpinTop RED'

If there is a perennial heaven, there must be plenty of blanket flowers. This is such a beautiful plant that should not be missed in any flower bed where bright colours and summer flowering are key features. G.aristata is one of the most common species. Its original habitat ranges from Canada - west of Rocky Mountains - south to Arizona in the USA. G.x grandiflora is an accepted name for possibly the largest group of garden crosses, hybrids of g.aristata and g.pulchella, yet many others and especially more recent ones are natural mutations of untraceable origin.

SpinTop is a new blanket flower series from Dutch company Dümmen Orange^® introduced to market after 2015. SpinTop Red is a variety with rich red, daisy-like, medium large flowers. Their centres are yellow with red corolla when young, and mature to dark, almost wine red. Flowers appear from about mid June and continue blooming restlessly until October, sometimes even November if early autumn is sunny and warm. The stems are hairy and short which helps maintain a compact, mounding habit and form a dense, extremely free flowering cushion. The plant can triple its size within one growing season. Deciduous, somewhat hairy leaves are pale green.

Blanket flowers need full sun and well-drained soil that does not remain wet especially in winter. They can take long periods without rain and withstand significant drought once established. Blanket flowers are categorized as short-lived perennials, however, they can dwell in one location for a good number of years if they like the spot - if the soil is free-draining and not overfertilized which is in case of blanket flower absolutely useless. Too much fertilizing speeds up maturation and aging of the plant which leads to quick death. Under good conditions the plants are much hardier than expected and can allegedly withstand even -40°C (USDA 3).

Last update 10-12-2017