Question Re: Gaillardia x grandiflora_Blanket Flower

This year my Gaillardia's wintered over safely, with new growth and many flower buds appearing on the ends of last years growth. The problem is that it is all on the ends of lanky, semi-woody stalks now. In the past I have tried a perennial type "spring haircut", cutting it down low to create fresh growth, but the plants always died after I did.

I've heard it implied that Blanket flower is only good for one strong season when purchased, with a second year of straggly growth being all that is produced after that. That would certainly explain what I've experienced, and the lack of success I've had trying the "spring trim" with them in the second year.

So I'm wondering if anyone has any firsthand experience they might pass on regarding what I've stated above, and whether or not I'm going about trying to extend the lifespan of this plant correctly?

Thanks so much in advance for your time and help,
Norm

Mine grew nicely in their second year, it was the third year that they got straggly looking (I'm very stingy with the water--they don't need a ton of water and I've noticed that the more water things get the faster they tend to grow). Late last summer I noticed they were looking very overgrown so I whacked them back, and just yesterday I was weeding in that area of the garden and noticed them blooming, so looks like they must have survived the whacking! I didn't do any research on when was the right time of year to cut them--I just did it because I was doing garden cleanup and they needed it. I would also watch how much water you give them--I seem to remember reading somewhere that they will be very short lived if they get too much water. Mine get watered once a week during hot weather, and less often during cooler times of year.

If your plant doesn't bounce back, hopefully doesn't happen, you can propagate your plant very easily. This is my experience: Two weeks ago, I gave mine a very good trim and that's when I discovered there were six new "baby" plants under it. (I remember I threw some dried flowers next to my plant in the first week of February) I transplanted them into small pots in a very sunny spot and they are growing very fast... I also took 3 cuttings and trasplanted them to a mix of potting soil and seed starter and they rooted very easily withouth any special care. My old plant is growing back and it looks healthy. I hope this information helps you.

I started mine from seed about 6 yrs ago. Just threw a small amount onto a bare spot of ground in the fall. The next spring I had a dozen or so plants come up. They didn't do much the first year, but I left them alone. The second year they flourished. And again, I left them alone, not doing anything but watering on occasion. The next spring they doubled in quantity and became a huge thick mass. Some of the plants were weak, some were strong. I cut back the weak ones and left the strong ones. This time I deadheaded, but not until the seed heads were ripe, or in some cases, if they flopped over. In the fall, after the first hard freeze, I cut them all back to about 6". In the spring, most, plus a few new ones, always come back. After they re-establish themselves, I'll cut away all the old dead growth from the previous year.

So starting that third year, that's been my routine. And every year I get a beautiful stand of flowers from them which seem to go on forever.

Thank you all SO much for your responses everyone. Very interesting to hear of the longevity of the plants, and also that they may "cluster grow" in a bed where seeds are distributed to establish themselves. I have always purchased a few plants from the nursery each year, much like an annual, and just replaced them next season.
I did give my guys a haircut so we'll see if they'll get their growth on for this season or not. I may forgo the long bloom period (into late November/early December here in CA) this year and cut them down in late Fall instead.
-N-