Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Arizona Red Shades Blanket Flower: Deep Crimson at Lavender's Feet
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Arizona Red Shades blanket flower grows into a low, tidy cushion 10 to 12 inches tall and covers it in 3-inch daisies of deep crimson red around domed maroon-brown centers. Because it is grown from seed, a few plants show a thin yellow edge on the petal tips, so a group has a little natural variety. It blooms its first year, from mid-June until frost, and asks for very little.
Arizona Red Shades at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Gaillardia aristata 'Arizona Red Shades' |
| Flowers | About 3 inches, deep crimson, some with yellow tips |
| Foliage | Green, slightly hairy |
| Size | 10 to 12 inches tall, about 12 inches wide |
| Bloom | Mid-June until frost, peak mid-July |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 10 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Wildlife | Great for butterflies; deer resistant |
Crimson under purple
Deep red and purple are close neighbors on the color wheel, so this pairing reads rich rather than loud. A low band of crimson at the front of a lavender row makes the purple spikes above it look deeper, and the dark maroon centers tie the two together. It also holds the color long after lavender has been cut, so the front of the bed is still red in September.
Both plants love heat and dry spells and both dislike fertilizer, so you can care for them as one bed. Plant blanket flowers in groups of three or five along the edge, a little in front of the lavender mounds. Try layouts in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Soil: lean to average, sharply drained. Poor, sandy ground is a plus here.
- Water: enough to get plugs rooted, then sparingly. It is very heat and drought tolerant.
- Deadheading: regular removal of spent blooms extends flowering through summer.
- Late season: stop deadheading by early fall and skip hard cutbacks late in the year.
- Winter: heavy, wet soil is what shortens a blanket flower's life. Good drainage keeps it coming back.
In muggy weather, crowded plants in rich soil can get mildew or leaf spot. Give each plant a little elbow room.
Cutting crimson stems
It rates well as a cut flower. Pick when blooms are freshly open. Crimson blanket flowers, a few sprigs of lavender and a bit of white yarrow make a farmhouse bouquet with real presence. The Cut Flower Planner can help you plan a cutting bed.
Frequently asked questions
Why do some flowers have yellow edges?
It is grown from seed, so a few plants show a narrow yellow rim on the petal tips. Most are solid crimson.
Does it attract butterflies?
Yes. Butterflies love it, and it is rated great for pollinators overall.
How many plants in a 72-cell tray?
A 72-cell plug tray holds 72 plugs, enough to edge a long lavender bed. See the product page for current availability.
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