Gaillardia aristata 'Bijou'

Gaillardia aristata is a species of blanket flower that is native from North Dakota to Colorado west to California and British Columbia. It typically grows in clumps to 30î tall and is found primarily in dry sites on meadows, prairies, grasslands, mountain foothills and at lower mountain elevations to 9000. ëBijou is a dwarf seed strain that typically grows to only 10-12î tall. It features orange-red daisy-like flowers (to 3î diameter) with yellow tipped rays. Blooms late spring to fall. Lance-shaped gray-green leaves may be pinnately lobed near the base of the plant. Flowers are attractiv... more »

Gaillardia aristata is a species of blanket flower that is native from North Dakota to Colorado west to California and British Columbia. It typically grows in clumps to 30î tall and is found primarily in dry sites on meadows, prairies, grasslands, mountain foothills and at lower mountain elevations to 9000. ëBijou is a dwarf seed strain that typically grows to only 10-12î tall. It features orange-red daisy-like flowers (to 3î diameter) with yellow tipped rays. Blooms late spring to fall. Lance-shaped gray-green leaves may be pinnately lobed near the base of the plant. Flowers are attractive to butterflies. In areas where goldfinches are present, gardeners should consider leaving some spent flowerheads for the birds. Gaillardia is sometimes commonly called blanket flower in probable reference to the resemblance of its rich and warm flower colors and patterns to blankets woven by Native Americans. However, some authorities suggest that the name blanket flower was originally derived from the habit of wild species plants to form colonies that blanket the ground. Specific epithet means bristly in reference to the hairs that cover the flowerhead receptacles, stems and leaves. The popular but short lived gaillardia hybrid sold in commerce as G. x grandiflora (see S850) are crosses between perennial G. aristata and annual G. pulchella. (less)