Botanical Name: Gaillardia aristata ‘Arizona Apricot’

Common Name: Blanket Flower

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Most Climates (USDA Zones 3–9)

Size: 10–12" Tall × 10–12" Wide

Growth Habit: Compact, Mounded, Well-Branched

Sunlight: Full Sun

Soil: Well-Drained Soil; Tolerates Poor, Sandy, or Rocky Soils

Water Needs: Low Once Established; Drought Tolerant

Bloom Season: Late Spring through Fall

Fertilizer: Minimal Feeding; Avoid Excess Fertility

Features: Soft Apricot Blooms with Yellow Highlights, Long Bloom Season, Heat & Drought Tolerant, Deer Resistant, Pollinator Friendly

Uses: Borders, Pollinator Gardens, Containers, Mass Plantings, Hot & Dry Landscapes

Patent: ✔ Patented

Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited Without License

More About Gaillardia ‘Arizona Apricot’ (Blanket Flower)

Gaillardia ‘Arizona Apricot’ is one of those plants that quietly does everything right. The flowers are warm and inviting, blending soft apricot tones with hints of yellow that feel easy to work into almost any color palette. Unlike some brighter blanket flowers that can feel bold or overpowering, Arizona Apricot brings a gentler look while still delivering strong, season-long color.

This variety stays naturally compact and well-branched, which is one of the biggest improvements over older Gaillardia selections. Instead of stretching or flopping, it forms a neat, mounded plant that holds its shape even in heat. The blooms keep coming steadily from late spring through fall, especially when spent flowers are removed.

Like most blanket flowers, Arizona Apricot thrives in tough conditions. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil and actually performs better when it’s not overwatered or overfed. Once established, it handles heat and drought with ease, making it a reliable choice for sunny beds, containers, and pollinator plantings.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

At Garden Delivery, Gaillardia ‘Arizona Apricot’ has proven to be an extremely dependable performer in hot, exposed areas. In our trials, it held its compact shape through summer heat without thinning or fading out, and the flower color stayed clean and consistent well into the season. Where some Gaillardias can look tired by midsummer, this one kept pushing new blooms.

I also appreciate how easy it is to place in designs. The softer apricot color pairs beautifully with blues, purples, silvers, and ornamental grasses, and it doesn’t dominate neighboring plants. For customers who want long bloom, pollinator activity, and low maintenance all in one plant, this variety checks every box.

Arizona Apricot vs. Other Gaillardia

Arizona Apricot is the softest and most understated of the group, which is exactly what makes it valuable. Against Arizona Red Shades, Apricot is far less bold, but it integrates more easily into refined or neutral-heavy designs. Compared to SpinTop™ Mango, Apricot feels calmer and more pastel, while Mango brings a bit more energy and brightness. When placed beside SpinTop™ Red Starburst, Apricot acts as a visual counterbalance, toning things down instead of competing. While the Arizona Series stays compact and reliable, the SpinTop™ varieties usually edge it out in overall uniformity. I reach for Arizona Apricot when I want warmth and color without anything feeling loud.