HybridContainer OK

Gaillardia Grandiflora Arizona Sun

Gaillardia x grandiflora 'Arizona Sun'

This award-winning blanket flower captivates with fiery red petals tipped in golden yellow, creating a stunning sunset effect in the garden. Exceptionally drought-tolerant and long-blooming, it attracts butterflies and beneficial insects while requiring minimal care. Perfect for xeriscaping and wildflower gardens where bold color is desired.

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

3–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

18-24 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Gaillardia Grandiflora Arizona Sun in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Gaillardia Grandiflora Arizona Sun · Zones 3–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilSandy, well-drained soil, tolerates poor soils

pH6.1-7.8

WaterLow water needs, drought tolerant once established

SeasonWarm season

FlavorN/A

ColorRed petals with bright yellow tips and yellow centers

Size3-4 inch diameter flowers

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Division, Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Hairy achenes form from the disc flowers

Type: Achene.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh cut Gaillardia Arizona Sun flowers should be placed immediately in cool water and stored at 60-65°F for optimal vase life. Recut stems under running water and change vase water every 2-3 days to extend freshness up to one week.

For dried arrangements, harvest flowers at peak bloom and hang bundles upside down in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Flowers dry completely in 2-3 weeks, retaining much of their vibrant color. Air-dried Arizona Sun creates excellent everlasting arrangements and potpourri.

Press individual flowers between absorbent paper for craft projects, maintaining their distinctive sunset coloration. Seeds can be collected from spent flower heads left on plants until completely dry and brown, then stored in paper envelopes in a cool, dry location for up to 3 years.

History & Origin

Origin: North and South America

Advantages

+Stunning fiery red and golden yellow blooms create dramatic sunset effect in gardens
+Exceptional drought tolerance makes it ideal for water-conscious xeriscaping projects
+Long blooming season provides continuous color from summer through fall
+Award-winning variety attracts butterflies and beneficial insects naturally
+Minimal care requirements perfect for beginner gardeners or low-maintenance landscapes

Considerations

-Crown rot develops quickly in poorly drained or waterlogged soil conditions
-Powdery mildew becomes problematic during extended periods of high humidity
-Spider mites and aphids can infest plants despite generally easy care status

Companion Plants

Lavender, Salvia, and Coreopsis are the sharpest neighbors for Arizona Sun — all three thrive in lean, well-drained soil with minimal irrigation once established, so you're not caught trying to satisfy two different watering regimes in the same bed. Black-eyed Susan and Purple Coneflower extend the pollinator bloom window on either side of Gaillardia's peak, which matters in our zone 7 Georgia garden where you want something working from May through October. Keep Impatiens, Hostas, and Astilbe out of the picture entirely — all three need consistent moisture and partial shade, and meeting those needs will rot Gaillardia at the crown before August.

Plant Together

Lavender

Similar drought tolerance and attracts beneficial pollinators while repelling pests

Black-eyed Susan

Complementary bloom times and shared preference for full sun and well-drained soil

Salvia

Attracts beneficial insects and has similar water and light requirements

Marigold

Natural pest deterrent that repels harmful insects while attracting pollinators

Coreopsis

Similar growing conditions and extends the flowering season with complementary colors

Sedum

Excellent drainage companion that shares drought tolerance and attracts butterflies

Purple Coneflower

Native prairie companion with similar sun and soil needs, attracts beneficial insects

Ornamental Grasses

Provides structural contrast and wind protection while sharing low water requirements

Keep Apart

Impatiens

Requires consistently moist soil and shade, opposite of Gaillardia's drought tolerance needs

Hostas

Shade-loving plants that compete poorly in full sun conditions Gaillardia requires

Astilbe

Needs consistently moist, rich soil and partial shade, incompatible with Gaillardia's dry conditions

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to most diseases, very hardy

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites (rare)

Diseases

Crown rot in poorly drained soils, powdery mildew in humid conditions

Troubleshooting Gaillardia Grandiflora Arizona Sun

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Plant collapses at the crown — stem turns brown and mushy at soil level, often after a wet spell

Likely Causes

Crown rot caused by Phytophthora or Pythium spp. — nearly always tied to poorly drained soil or overwatering
Planting too deep, keeping the crown consistently moist

What to Do

1.Pull the plant — there's no saving a fully rotted crown; don't compost it
2.Amend the bed with coarse sand or fine pine bark before replanting to improve drainage
3.Set the next transplant so the crown sits at or just above the soil surface, never below

White powdery coating on leaves, usually appearing mid-summer when nights cool down but humidity stays high

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — a fungal issue that spreads by air, not water splash
Crowded planting that cuts airflow between plants

What to Do

1.Space plants at least 12 inches apart — 15 is better in humid climates
2.Apply a dilute potassium bicarbonate spray (follow label rates) at first sign; it won't cure infected tissue but slows spread
3.Cut affected stems back hard after bloom — Gaillardia rebounds quickly and the new growth usually comes in clean

Leaves yellowing and curling, tiny moving dots on the undersides, stippled texture across the leaf surface

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) — flare up during hot, dry stretches above 90°F
Dusty conditions or drought-stressed plants, which mites actively seek out

What to Do

1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a strong stream of water three days running — knocks populations down fast without any product
2.If pressure persists, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil in the evening to avoid leaf burn
3.Water plants adequately during heat waves; a stressed plant draws mites the way standing water draws mosquitoes

Clusters of soft-bodied insects on new buds and stem tips, sticky honeydew residue on leaves below

Likely Causes

Aphids (commonly Macrosiphum euphorbiae or Aphis gossypii) — congregate on tender new growth
Excess nitrogen from over-fertilizing, which produces the lush, soft tissue aphids prefer

What to Do

1.Knock them off with a firm water spray — repeat every 2–3 days until populations drop
2.Hold back on fertilizer; Gaillardia grows in lean soil by nature and heavy feeding just invites pest pressure
3.Tolerate light aphid loads — parasitic wasps typically arrive within 7–10 days and do the work for you

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Gaillardia Arizona Sun take to bloom from seed?▼

Arizona Sun typically blooms 10-12 weeks from seed when direct sown in spring, or 8-10 weeks when started indoors. First flowers appear in early to midsummer and continue until frost. Starting seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost gives earliest blooms and longest flowering season.

Can you grow Gaillardia Arizona Sun in containers?▼

Yes, Arizona Sun is excellent for containers due to its compact 10-12 inch height and drought tolerance. Use well-draining potting mix in containers at least 12 inches wide and deep. Place in full sun and water when top inch of soil feels dry. Container plants may need more frequent watering than garden plants.

Is Gaillardia Arizona Sun good for beginners?▼

Arizona Sun is ideal for beginning gardeners due to its easy care requirements and forgiving nature. It tolerates poor soil, drought, and neglect while blooming continuously. The main requirement is full sun and well-drained soil. Even novice gardeners achieve success with this variety.

When should I plant Gaillardia Arizona Sun seeds?▼

Direct sow Arizona Sun seeds in spring 2-3 weeks after your last frost date when soil temperature reaches 60°F. For earlier blooms, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. In zones 8-9, you can also sow in early fall for spring germination and blooming.

Does Gaillardia Arizona Sun come back every year?▼

Arizona Sun is a short-lived perennial that typically lives 2-3 years in zones 3-9. It often self-seeds, creating the appearance of returning annually. In harsh winter climates, treat it as an annual and replant each spring, or collect seeds to start new plants.

What's the difference between Arizona Sun and other Gaillardia varieties?▼

Arizona Sun is more compact at 10-12 inches versus 18-24 inches for standard varieties, eliminating staking needs. It has more intense red and yellow coloration, earlier blooming, and better heat tolerance. The flowers are also larger and more numerous than typical blanket flower varieties.