Arizona Sun Blanket Flower
Arizona Sun Blanket Flower
The Classic Red-and-Gold Daisy That Blooms All Summer
Arizona Sun Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata 'Arizona Sun') is the award-winning blanket flower that put the whole group on the map — mahogany-red blooms ringed in bright gold, carried nonstop from early summer to frost on a neat, compact plant. Despite the cultivar name, it's a descendant of the tough native prairie blanket flower and is fully hardy to zone 3, thriving in hot, dry Minnesota borders in Bloomington, Plymouth, and Lakeville.
Arizona Sun Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Gaillardia aristata 'Arizona Sun' |
| Mature Size | 10–12 in. tall, 12–14 in. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 3–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy) |
| Light | Full sun (6+ hours) |
| Bloom Time | Early summer until frost |
| Flower Color | Mahogany-red with gold petal tips |
| Soil | Prefers lean, well-drained soil; tolerates clay if not waterlogged |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to zone 3; best with sharp winter drainage |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed by deer or rabbits |
Landscape Uses
Compact front-of-border color: Its short, tidy habit is perfect for edging beds and filling containers. Mass three to five and deadhead for continuous bloom.
Pollinator and curbside gardens: A bee and butterfly favorite that thrives in hot, dry, reflected-heat strips by driveways and sidewalks. Pair with coneflower, catmint, and yarrow.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall. It establishes quickly; sharp drainage maximizes winter survival.
How to Plant Arizona Sun Blanket Flower
Dig a hole twice the pot's width at the same depth, amending heavy clay with compost or grit. Set the crown level, backfill, water in, and mulch lightly, keeping mulch off the crown. Space 12–14 inches apart.
Watering Arizona Sun Blanket Flower
First year: Water every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.
After year one: Very drought-tolerant — water only during prolonged dry spells.
Q: The name says Arizona — will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes. 'Arizona Sun' is just the cultivar name; the plant descends from a cold-hardy native prairie species and is reliable to zone 3 with good drainage.
Q: How do I keep it blooming?
Deadhead spent flowers and it will bloom from early summer all the way to frost.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Yes — deer and rabbits rarely bother it.
Q: Does it tolerate clay?
Yes, as long as the spot drains and doesn't stay wet over winter.
You May Also Like
Coneflower (Echinacea): A native pollinator partner with matching toughness.
Yarrow (Achillea): Flat-topped blooms and ferny foliage for hot, dry beds.
Catmint (Nepeta): Cool blue spikes to contrast the warm red-and-gold daisies.
How Many Arizona Sun Blanket Flower Do I Need?
Space plants 12–14 in. apart and mass in drifts of 3–5 for the strongest color. Quick estimate by bed run:
| Bed Length | Plants Needed |
|---|---|
| 10 ft | 10 plants |
| 20 ft | 19 plants |
| 30 ft | 28 plants |
| 40 ft | 38 plants |
For containers or hot curbside strips, group 3 for an instant pop.
Arizona Sun Blanket Flower Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: A low mound of gray-green foliage establishes quickly once the soil warms.
- Summer: Classic mahogany-red blooms ringed in bright gold open nonstop from early summer, thriving in heat and reflected sun.
- Fall: Keeps blooming right up to hard frost if deadheaded; bees and butterflies work it all season.
- Winter: Dies back to a basal rosette and rests; sharp winter drainage is the key to its return.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Drought-Tolerant ✔ Deer-Resistant
Plant It With
- Arizona Apricot Blanket Flower — a softer apricot-gold partner from the same series.
- Arizona Red Shades Blanket Flower — solid-red blooms for a bolder color block.
- Sombrero Granada Gold Coneflower — taller golden daisies behind the compact mounds.
- Little Bluestem — native grass for a tough, prairie-style border.
Is Arizona Sun Blanket Flower Right for Your Yard?
It loves full sun and lean, well-drained soil — perfect for hot, dry borders, slopes, and reflected-heat strips by drives and walks. Deer and rabbits leave it be. Not a fit for rich, wet, or shaded ground, where it stretches, flops, and rots over a soggy winter.