How to Plant Gaillardia

Gaillardias are daisy-like flowers with petals "painted" in multicolor hues of gold, orange and red. They are native to the Americas and grow very well in full sun. They start to bloom in early summer and continue until frost. The flowers themselves last for weeks and make lovely bouquets.

Things You'll Need

• Gaillardia plants or seeds Garden spade Garden rake Garden trowel

Instructions

1. Prepare the flower bed and soil where your gaillardia will be planted. Make sure the flower bed is in full sun. It doesn't matter if the soil is rich, however, it needs to drain well. Turn the soil over with a spade and rake it smooth.

2. Method 1: Transplants. Plant gaillardia 15 to 18 inches apart. Dig a small hole (twice as wide as the current root/dirt ball after removing the plant from its container). When placing soil around new plants, tamp it firmly to eliminate air pockets. Gaillardia grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet so it is a good plant for the center of the flower garden. Water well after transplanting.

3. Method 2: Seeds. Start gaillardia from seed. Sow seeds directly in the garden where the plants are to grow. Space seeds about 8 inches apart. Water after planting and keep moist until the seeds germinate. When the seedlings are 3 inches high, thin so they stand 15 to 18 inches apart.

4. Water gaillardia regularly until the plants become established. Once they are actively growing, they can stand drought quite well.

5. Remove faded flowers and the plant will keep blooming all summer long.

Tips & Warnings

• Gaillardia are tough plants and seldom need artificial watering or fertilizers. Some gaillardias are perennials and some are annuals. If you're unsure which type you have, don't remove the roots of the plant after the top growth is killed by frost. If they're perennials, they'll grow again the following spring.