Gaillardia 'MESA™ 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. MESA™ is an attractive series by PanAmerican Seed^® of 4 varieties. All of them are slightly taller than modern cushion-like hybrids, but shorter, bushier, and with stronger stems compared to old, tall varieties.

MESA™ Red blanket flower makes 6-8 cm wide, dark red flowers where discs are dark burgundy red with golden yellow centres. They appear from about mid June and continue blooming restlessly until October, sometimes even November if early autumn is sunny and warm. The plants usually reach some 30 cm in height, though if more nitrogen-based fertilizer is used along with more irrigation it can get to 40 cm, still on strong stems that do not fall, bend or break after a heavy rain. Deciduous, somewhat hairy leaves are pale green. The plant grows fast and can triple its size within one growing season.

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, yet on extremely dry sites some extra watering is advised on the hottest days. 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. Use mycorrhizal fungi instead. Under good conditions the plants are much hardier than expected, this one is guaranteed to -30°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 29-09-2019