Gaillardia Goblin

Gaillardia Goblin

Why Buy Me?

• Brightly coloured blooms
• Compact growth
• Great in containers or borders

Growing Conditions

Light:
Full sun. Requires at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flowering and compact growth. Insufficient sun leads to reduced blooming and floppy stems.

Soil:
Well-drained soil. Prefers sandy or loamy soils, but is highly adaptable to poor or dry soils. Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged areas. Performs best in slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.5).

Exposure:
Thrives in exposed, sunny locations. Tolerates heat, wind, and coastal conditions. Hardy, offering excellent resilience to cold and drought.

Drought Tolerance:
High. Extremely drought-tolerant once established, making it ideal for xeriscaping and low-maintenance gardens. Overwatering can lead to root rot.

Cultivation & Care

Planting Time:
Best planted in spring or early autumn to allow roots to establish before flowering or winter dormancy.

Spacing:
Space 25–30 cm (10–12 inches) apart. Grows to 25–30 cm (10–12 inches) in height and spread, forming compact, mounded clumps.

Watering & Fertilization:
Water regularly during the first growing season. Once established, water sparingly. Avoid over-fertilizing, which encourages leggy growth at the expense of flowers. A light compost mulch in spring is sufficient.

Mulching & Pruning:
Mulch lightly in spring to retain moisture and discourage weeds. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming. Cut back in autumn or early spring to tidy up the plant and encourage vigorous new growth.

Propagation:
Propagate by division in spring or from basal cuttings. May also be grown from seed, though named cultivars like ‘Goblin’ may not come true. Typically treated as a short-lived perennial or biennial.

Seasonal Interest

Spring:
Forms low, compact clumps of hairy, grey-green foliage. Early leaf growth provides structure and colour contrast in borders.

Summer:
Abundant daisy-like flowers bloom from June to September. Blooms are red with yellow-tipped petals and dark red centres, offering bold, bicolour contrast and lasting impact.

Autumn:
Flowering often continues into early fall. Foliage remains neat; spent blooms can be left to dry for visual interest or removed to encourage more flowers.

Winter:
Dies back to the crown in winter. In cold regions, crown protection with mulch may improve winter survival. Cut back dead stems in late winter before new growth.

Wildlife & Garden Use

Wildlife:
Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Drought-resilient and non-invasive. Offers ecological benefits with minimal maintenance.

Garden Use:
Perfect for hot, dry borders, rock gardens, wildlife gardens, and container plantings. Useful in prairie-style or Mediterranean plantings. Excellent front-of-border or edging plant for sunny areas.

Companion Plants:
Combines well with Coreopsis, Rudbeckia, Echinacea, Nepeta, Sedum, and ornamental grasses like Festuca or Stipa. Pairs beautifully with silver-leaved plants for contrast, such as Artemisia or Lavender.

Transform your home and garden with the Gaillardia Goblin, a must-have for any season. Order online now for quick and easy shopping, or drop by your local Thompson's Branch to explore it up close and get personalised recommendations.