wrong label on seeds?

I purchased Gaillardia "Goblin" seeds. I started them and planted them out this May. According to my research these are supposed to be shorter, like 12"-15" tall. Most definitely a front of the flower bed or border plant. Yet, mine just keep getting taller and taller. Was I given the wrong seed or has more effort gone into growing than blooming this first year? I am a bit puzzled. As it is, the blooms are pretty and attract butterflies, but they are much too tall (at least 24") for the front of my bed. Any advice? Should I move them this fall or wait to see what happens next year. They just started blooming, so they are a bit late as is expected for a first year blooming perennial. I have attached a picture, please don't mind the mess on the porch, we are in the midst of remodeling our old Victorian home.

I wonder if it might be 'Dazzler' instead? The flower colors are similar to 'Goblin' but 'Dazzler' gets 2-3 feet tall
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/54891/

I didn't know they would flower their first year at all. Looks like Goblin. The only gaillardia I have seen that stays short is Fanfare.

Then Plant Files is wrong--it lists 'Goblin' as being shorter. I usually grow 'Fanfare' but seems to me one year I had 'Goblin' also and it was just a tiny bit taller than 'Fanfare', but I don't remember for sure.

What should I do since the plants are too tall? Can I transplant this fall, or should I wait till next spring? It seems the consensus is that I am stuck with taller-than-I-thought-plants.

I have noticed that many plants grow way taller for me than the packages say. I think it may be my long season. I would wait until fall to move them if it was me--maybe late September.

I was walking my dog last night, and someone in my neighborhood is growing 'Goblin', it was cute and compact, about a foot tall. I wasn't sure if I was remembering my own plants' height correctly since it was a couple years ago, but now that I see theirs I'm very sure that 'Goblin' ought to stay shorter, unless maybe you gave it lots of water and lots of fertilizer.

I agree with ecrane that 'Goblin' is definitely shorter and compact. If I remember correctly 'Arizona Sun' is also a shorter variety but bit taller than 'Goblin.'
I have the 'Goblin' and also a taller variety that looks like yours. Not sure the name on the taller one as was a purchase at a plant sale where tag only said gaillardia but suspect it is 'Dazzler. '
Many perennials do not flower the first year but some do and if so that bloom can be 4-6 weeks later than nomal. The tall ones tend to flop over unless stake or interplant with something sturdy to lean against.

I find it easier to transplant in early spring and do that with everything that isn't a very early spring bloomer.

Hope you won't give up on planting the 'Goblin' or similar shorter gaillardias. They give lots of great color for quite a long period, are drought tolerant, don't want special soil, and aren't much work beyond deadheading to prolong bloom period.

Happy Gardening!

I have Goblin and it is shorter than what you have there--only about a foot tall and quite bushy. As far as moving them, if you don't deadhead them, you will probably have lots of volunteers to go with your starter plants by next year. I haven't moved any volunteer Goblins yet since this was my first year to have it but I've moved (and shared with family and friends) lots of volunteer purple coneflowers. I dig them up in the spring and all have done very well.

Are your plants in full sun? could they be struggling for more sun...some plants are tall because they need more sun....just a thought

I planted the gaillardia daisys last year, they are in full sun and were a little scraggly first year, but couldn't believe they flowered.
This year they are more compact and full, they move easy in the fall.
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