Gaillardia 'GALYA™ Wild Fire'

If there is a perennial heaven, there must be plenty of blanket flowers. This is such a beautiful plant that should not be missed in any flower bed where bright colours and summer flowering are key features. G.aristata is one of the most common species. Its original habitat ranges from Canada - west of Rocky Mountains - south to Arizona in the USA. G.x grandiflora is an accepted name for possibly the largest group of garden crosses, hybrids of g.aristata and g.pulchella, yet many others and especially more recent ones are natural mutations of untraceable origin. GALYA™ is an attractive series by Danziger company from Israel who began in 1953 as a small family company and now serve over 60 countries worldwide with their perennials, annuals, and cut flowers.

GALYA™ Wild Fire is another bi-coloured blanket flower which flowers from its first year. Its large, daisy-like flowers can really resemble a wild fire with its glowing combination of red ray florets with golden yellow tips, and garnet red discs with only a small yellow centre. They appear from about mid June and continue blooming restlessly until October, sometimes even November if early autumn is sunny and warm. The stems do not fall, bend or break even after a heavy rain, and usually reach about 30 cm in height. Deciduous, somewhat hairy leaves are pale green. The plant grows fast and can triple its size within one growing season.

Blanket flowers need full sun and well-drained soil that does not remain wet especially in winter. They can take long periods without rain and withstand significant drought once established, yet on extremely dry sites some extra watering is advised on the hottest days. Blanket flowers are categorized as short-lived perennials, however, they can dwell in one location for a good number of years if they like the spot - if the soil is free-draining and not overfertilized which is in case of blanket flower absolutely useless. Too much fertilizing speeds up maturation and aging of the plant which leads to quick death. Use mycorrhizal fungi instead. Under good conditions the plants are much hardier than expected, this one is guaranteed to -30°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 29-09-2019