Swap June 5/ Gaillardia
Posted by Shannon
Gaillardia and bee.
We have switched our swaps to the first Saturday of every month. We think this will just be more fun and interesting for all involved.
And I thought I would feature my new favorite flower, a brilliant native hybrid Gaillardia called “Oranges and Lemons.” It’s just a beautiful beautiful flower, attracts all kinds of beneficial insects, and is easy to grow and a fabulous self-sower. This means that I will be bringing Gaillardia seedlings to next week’s swap. I can’t wait to have mounds of this around my asian pear and serviceberry trees.
Here’s how Horticulture magazine describes its virtues: “It uniquely combines a breakthrough in color with an abundance of longer lasting blooms. The amount of flowers carried at any one time is striking. Indications show it to be more floriferous and longer flowering than any other blanketflower hybrid. In addition, it is drought and heat tolerant, attracts butterflies, and not normally browsed by deer.”
Not bad, eh? The following picture shows how beautiful the seedheads are as well.
May 29th, 2010 at 11:46 am
I am excited about the swap next week. I’ll be trimming my sage back, and will have plenty to share. If anyone has advice about maintaining strawberry patches, I’d be glad to hear it.
Gaillardia sounds lovely! I wonder if it would do well in my sunny rain garden?
July 23rd, 2010 at 1:36 pm
I have missed the swaps so far this season. When are the next ones going to be?
I probably can come in September. I will have seeds, including Morning Glories, Marigolds, and Milkweed.
Hopefully I can see you then
-Gabe G.