Spintop Yellow Touch Blanket Flower
Spintop Yellow Touch Blanket Flower
Bright Yellow Daisies With a Fiery Red Eye
Spintop Yellow Touch Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata 'Spintop Yellow Touch') brings sunshine to the border with large, clear-yellow daisies brushed with a warm red eye at the center. Compact and sturdy, it blooms from early summer to frost and descends from the tough native prairie blanket flower, so it takes heat, drought, and lean soil in stride. A bright, cheerful pollinator magnet for sunny beds in Plymouth, Woodbury, and Lakeville.
Spintop Yellow Touch Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Gaillardia aristata 'Spintop Yellow Touch' |
| 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 | Bright yellow with a red center eye |
| 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
Bright front-of-border color: The clear-yellow daisies light up edges and containers. Mass three to five and deadhead for nonstop bloom.
Pollinator and hot-spot gardens: A bee and butterfly favorite that thrives in reflected heat by driveways and walks. Pair with purple coneflower, catmint, and Russian sage.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall. It establishes fast; sharp drainage maximizes winter survival.
How to Plant Spintop Yellow Touch 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 Yellow Touch 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 and isn't soggy in winter.
You May Also Like
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea): A native pollinator partner whose purple contrasts the yellow daisies.
Russian Sage (Perovskia): Airy blue spires for a cool counterpoint.
Catmint (Nepeta): Deer-resistant blue spikes for the front of the border.