Mesa Red Blanket Flower
Gaillardia × grandiflora ‘Mesa Red’Mesa Red Blanket Flower is a compact, long-blooming perennial prized for its vibrant scarlet-red flowers, exceptional heat tolerance, and outstanding garden performance. Blooming from late spring through fall, it produces masses of rich red daisy-like flowers with golden centers that create a brilliant display of color for months. Unlike many blanket flowers that feature red and yellow bicolored blooms, Mesa Red offers a true red flower color that remains vibrant throughout the season.
Its compact, mounded habit and gray-green foliage provide season-long texture while requiring minimal maintenance. The abundant flowers are held on sturdy stems above the foliage, making them highly visible in borders, pollinator gardens, and containers.
Typically reaching 1 to 1.5 feet tall and wide, Mesa Red is an excellent choice for edging, mass plantings, and smaller garden spaces. The nectar-rich blooms attract butterflies and honey bees while providing continuous color through the heat of summer.
This perennial thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it tolerates drought, heat, and poor soils, making it an outstanding low-maintenance choice for sunny landscapes.
Care Instructions:
Planting: Plant in full sun for the best flowering and strongest growth.
Soil: Prefers average to lean, well-drained soil.
Watering: Water regularly during establishment. Gaillardia are drought-tolerant once established.
Fertilizing: Minimal fertilization is needed; avoid overly rich soils.
Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season.
Spacing: Space plants 12–18 inches apart for mature growth and airflow.
Maintenance: Avoid wet soils and divide plants as needed to maintain vigor.
Its brilliant red flowers, compact habit, and long bloom season make Mesa Red Blanket Flower a standout addition to pollinator gardens and perennial borders.
