Spintop Copper Sun Blanket Flower
Spintop Copper Sun Blanket Flower
Glowing Copper-Orange Daisies From Summer to Frost
Spintop Copper Sun Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata 'Spintop Copper Sun') lights up the border with large, warm copper-orange daisies on a compact, sturdy plant. Bred from the tough native prairie blanket flower, it blooms relentlessly from early summer to frost while tolerating heat, drought, and poor soil. Its sunset tones glow in sunny beds across Maple Grove, Woodbury, and Eagan and keep pollinators busy all season.
Spintop Copper Sun Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Gaillardia aristata 'Spintop Copper Sun' |
| Mature Size | 10–14 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 | Warm copper-orange |
| 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
Warm-toned borders: The copper-orange blooms blend beautifully into sunset-themed plantings. Mass three to five and deadhead for continuous color.
Pollinator and hot-spot gardens: Thrives in reflected heat near driveways and walks while feeding bees and butterflies. Pair with coneflower, ornamental grasses, and Russian sage.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall. It establishes fast; sharp drainage is the key to good winter survival.
How to Plant Spintop Copper 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 14–16 inches apart.
Watering Spintop Copper 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: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Hardy to zone 3; naturally short-lived, but sharp drainage and dry winter soil improve its return.
Q: How do I keep it blooming?
Deadhead spent flowers — it blooms from early summer to frost.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Yes — deer and rabbits leave it alone.
Q: Does it tolerate clay?
Yes, as long as the site drains well and isn't soggy in winter.
You May Also Like
Coneflower (Echinacea): A native pollinator partner for sunny, dry beds.
Russian Sage (Perovskia): Airy blue spires that contrast the copper daisies.
Yarrow (Achillea): Tough, flat-topped blooms for hot borders.
How Many Spintop Copper Sun Blanket Flowers Do I Need?
Set plants 14 inches apart along an edge. Use this guide for a single-row run:
| Run length | Plants needed (14 in. apart) |
|---|---|
| 5 ft | 4 |
| 10 ft | 8 |
| 15 ft | 13 |
| 20 ft | 17 |
For a full, colorful edge, mass in groups of 3–5.
Spintop Copper Sun Blanket Flower Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: A low rosette of gray-green foliage greens up and begins to mound.
- Summer: Warm copper-orange daisies open in early summer and bloom relentlessly, drawing bees and butterflies.
- Fall: Flowering keeps going right up to frost — deadhead to push the latest blooms.
- Winter: Cut back after frost; sharp winter drainage is what brings this short-lived prairie native back.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Spintop Red Blanket Flower — a deep-red sibling for a sunset-toned blanket-flower drift.
- Spintop Yellow Touch Blanket Flower — clear yellow to brighten the copper.
- Magnus Coneflower — the coneflower partner the description suggests for sunny, dry beds.
- Little Bluestem — an ornamental native grass to weave through the planting.
Is Spintop Copper Sun Blanket Flower Right for Your Yard?
It excels in full sun and lean, sharp-draining soil, especially in hot, reflected-heat spots by driveways and walks, and deer and rabbits leave it alone. It is not a fit in rich, wet ground or soil that stays soggy over winter, where the short-lived crown rots out.