Gaillardia Species, Fragrant Gaillardia, Perfumeballs, Pincushion Daisy, Rayless Gaillardia

Fragrant gaillardia is also known as gyp Indian blanket and rayless blanket flower. It is a native Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas wildflower ...Read Morewhich can grow in sand, loam, shallow gravelly soil or clay on open, dry and rocky sites. Not requiring much water, it prefers and does best when planted in sandy or gypsum soils. I have found sites that recommend a soil acidity level of above 6.8; however, I have have found them happily growing in limestoney soils that have an alkaline ph. It will grow in full sun or partial shade. Often forming dense stands, fragrant gaillardia is a slender, upright, clumped perennial whose height varies between 12 - 32 inches tall (usually about 24 inches tall). It is not as showy as Gaillardia pulchella, but what it lacks in bright colors is made up in fragrance.

Fragrant gaillardia can be easily overlooked and grows from a rosette of 2-6 inches long, lance-shaped leaves with toothed or entire margins which grow close to the ground. The leaves are all basal. They are loosely covered with pubescence. The stem is erect, slender and pubescent. During March and through June, a tall, naked stem emerges which has a solitary, 3/4" to 1" across, spherical globe-shaped head. It is often petal less meaning that the ray flowers are few to absent. Any rays that are present, are yellow to orange or red, very short and fall off quickly. The disk florets are shorter than the receptacle bristles and have reddish-brown corollas. These disk flowers are numerous and form a rounded, pincushion-like head. It has a mildly sweet fragrance. Its species name, suavis, means of the senses - sweet, pleasant. The blooms make great cut flowers to use in arrangements. You can't miss the seedhead. The red seedhead slowly turns white and becomes a papery puff ball. Collect the seeds in June.

In a cultivated environment, adequate moisture and removal of mature flowerheads will encourage flowering until fall. I find them quite beautiful. Enjoy their beauty and fragrance by planting them in thick clumps near an entranceway or where you walk frequently. Also, they are useful in xeriscapes, wildscapes and rock gardens.

Gaillardia is a plant that likes soil to be a bit drier, so don't overwater it. This variety is no exception. Needs full sun to grow we...Read Morell and needs deadheading after blooms fade.