Description of the Gaillardia Plant

Stem

• Stems of the gaillardia plant are green and branched. Each stem holds one flower. Stems grow anywhere from 12 to 24 inches high with a dwarf variety called Baby Cole only 8 inches tall and a giant variety called Burgundy at 30 inches in height.

Leaves

• Leaves are hairy and have toothed or smooth edges and are sometimes lobed. Most varieties have lance-shaped leaves that are narrow, growing alternately on stems and run about 4 to 8 inches long in dark green. The leaves and plant grow in a mounded shape grown two to three feet apart to allow for air circulation.

Flower

• Flowers range from 3 to 4 inches wide and bloom from June to October. They are daisylike with a mounded central disc that is usually dark brown or purple. Petals are usually jagged or fringed and each petal starts red and graduates to orange with a yellow tip. Flowers attract butterflies. The variety Dazzler has yellow petals with a maroon center while Golden Goblin and The Sun varieties have completely yellow flowers. Tokajer petals are yellow with a very small area of red at the base of each petal.

Seed

• Flowers left on the plant instead of being picked off will produce seed that self-sows readily. Seed grows in the mounded central disc, which looks much like a pom-pom by the end of the season since the petals usually fall off. The seed is similar to that of a sunflower but smaller at 1/4 inch in diameter in lavender, magenta or purple. Birds enjoy the seeds, so leave some on the plants for the winter and more gaillardia may pop up during the spring.