Botanical Name: Gaillardia aristata ‘Arizona Red Shades’

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: Rich Red Blooms with Yellow Tips, 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 Red Shades’ (Blanket Flower)

Gaillardia ‘Arizona Red Shades’ brings strong, classic blanket flower color in a compact, well-behaved form. The blooms feature rich red petals tipped in golden yellow, creating high contrast and visual energy in the garden. It’s a great choice when you want color that reads clearly from a distance without overwhelming nearby plants.

This variety stays low and mounded, which is one of the biggest advantages of the Arizona Series. Older Gaillardias often grew tall and loose, especially in heat, but Arizona Red Shades maintains a tight, uniform shape throughout the season. The plant flowers continuously from late spring well into fall, especially when spent blooms are removed.

Like other Gaillardia aristata selections, Arizona Red Shades thrives in tough conditions. Full sun and well-drained soil are essential, and once established, it handles drought and heat without missing a beat. Overwatering or rich soil tends to do more harm than good—this plant performs best when conditions lean a little lean.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

At Garden Delivery, Gaillardia ‘Arizona Red Shades’ has been one of our most reliable red-flowering perennials for hot, exposed areas. In our trials, it held its compact shape through summer heat and continued blooming when many perennials slowed down. The red tones stayed vibrant and didn’t fade or wash out as the season progressed.

We also like how versatile it is in design. It works equally well in pollinator gardens, mass plantings, and containers, and it pairs easily with blues, purples, silvers, and ornamental grasses. For gardeners who want bold color without extra maintenance, Arizona Red Shades is an easy win.

Arizona Red Shades vs. Other Gaillardia

Red Shades delivers classic blanket flower color with strong red tones and golden tips. Against Arizona Apricot, Red Shades clearly brings more contrast and visual weight. Compared to SpinTop™ Red Starburst, Red Shades feels a bit looser in habit, while Red Starburst stays tighter and more consistent. When set next to SpinTop™ Mango, Red Shades reads deeper and more traditional, whereas Mango leans brighter and more modern. All four varieties handle heat and drought well, but the SpinTop™ selections generally maintain a neater shape through peak summer. I like Arizona Red Shades when gardeners want bold red color with proven performance and don’t mind a slightly more natural, less polished look.