Hot Favorite From Beth's Plant Zoo!
As the weather continues to hold steady with perfect spring temps, I want to start sharing many of my garden favorites that may also become yours as well.
“Winkler’s Purple Firewheel”
Gaillardia aestivalis var.
winkleri ‘Grape Sensation’
Put your dancing boots on friends, this Texas native Blanket Flower is a power house of rare color all summer long. Gaillardia ‘Grape Sensation’ is certainly not the typical orange and bronze coastal flower we are so accustomed to.
This pure purple cultivar resulted from an almost extinct wild flower in Texas, yet this perennial thrives impressively during the hottest summers, with a high drought tolerance. A variety of butterflies grace the large spray of flowers the plant produces, nonstop from Late June to October.
I have several in my garden, one in almost pure sand and another on a well-drained slope, and even with the nasty heat and humidity of August, ‘Grape Sensation’ continued to look fresh in the garden. With resistance to deer and rabbits, plus does not self-sow everywhere like its “Indian Blanket Flower” cousin, this is a “Must Have” perennial that calls for celebration.
Quick Facts & Keys To Success
Common Name:
“Purple Blanket Flower”
Botanical Name: Gaillardia aestivalis var. winkleri ‘Grape Sensation’
Varieties/Cultivars to Look For: None- One-of-a-Kind
Color: prominent deep plum centers with softer purple petals
Bloom Period: Late June to November
Type: Herbaceous
perennial
Size: 2’
high x 2’ wide
Exposure:
Full Sun
Zone: 7-10
When to Plant: Late Spring around in May/June
How to Plant: Amend soil with well drained organic matter and sand. Plant ¼”
above soil level from container.
Soil: Sharp
drained to sandy type soil, root system dislikes disturbance once
established. Is tolerant of beach/shore conditions
Watering:
Water until established and during hot summer months of first year
When to Prune: Prune back following heavy freeze.
When to Fertilize: Late Winter (Feb/March)
In the Landscape: Great perennial for a big splash of late summer color when so
much has stopped blooming. Great cut
flowers, attracts butterflies and low maintenance. Deer and Rabbit
resistant!
Beth BurrellGinter Botanical Garden & University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia. WWW.GIVINGTREELTD.COM
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