Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Arizona Apricot Blanket Flower: Soft Warm Color All Summer Long
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Arizona Apricot blanket flower blooms its first year and keeps going from mid-June until frost. Each daisy is 3 to 3½ inches across, with several rows of fringe-tipped petals in warm apricot that fade to soft yellow at the edges around a domed orange-brown center. It was a new color for blanket flower when it was released, and it has picked up All-America Selections and other honors since.
Arizona Apricot at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Gaillardia 'Arizona Apricot' |
| Flowers | 3 to 3½ inches, apricot with yellow tips and orange center |
| Foliage | Bright green, slightly fuzzy |
| Size | About 12 inches tall and wide |
| Bloom | Mid-June until frost, peak mid-July |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 10 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Wildlife | Great for butterflies and bees; deer resistant |
Apricot and lavender
Blanket flower may be the most lavender-compatible perennial there is. It wants the same hot sun, the same lean, sandy soil and the same restraint with water. If anything, it is even less forgiving of rich ground than lavender is. Arizona Apricot's soft orange tones warm up the cool purple of lavender without the punch of red, which makes it a good choice for gardeners who like contrast but not fireworks.
At about a foot tall and wide, it fits the front edge of a bed, gaps between young lavender plants or a sunny container on the deck. Leave space around each lavender crown for air. Plan placements in the Companion Plant Planner.
Care that keeps it coming back
Blanket flowers have a reputation for being short-lived, and it is almost always soil. In lean, sandy, well-drained ground, they return reliably. In rich or wet soil, they bloom themselves out and fade.
- Soil: lean, sandy or average, with excellent drainage. No compost or fertilizer needed.
- Water: regular water while young, then let it ride out dry spells.
- Deadheading: through summer, it keeps the flowers coming. A light trim in late summer refreshes tired plants.
- Fall: stop deadheading by early fall and do not cut back hard late in the season. It overwinters better that way.
Watch for crown rot in heavy soil and powdery mildew or leaf spot in crowded spots.
For the vase
Arizona Apricot is a good cut flower. Cut stems when blooms have just opened. A few apricot daisies with fresh lavender make a warm, easy summer jar. If you stop deadheading, the spent flowers form round seed tufts that have their own charm.
The plug tray
It comes as a 72-cell plug tray, useful for edging a long lavender row, planting a pollinator border or growing on for containers. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Will it bloom the first year?
Yes. It blooms heavily its first season from mid-June until frost.
Why did my blanket flower disappear?
Usually rich or wet soil, especially in winter. Lean, sandy, sharply drained ground gives the best survival.
Is it good in containers?
Yes. Its compact size suits pots. Use a gritty, fast-draining mix.
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