Gaillardia aristata 'Goblin' Seeds

Gaillardia aristata 'Goblin', or Blanket Flower, is a robust Hardy Perennial (H4). While technically a perennial, it is exceptionally fast-growing and is often treated as a "First Year Flowering Perennial"—meaning if you sow it early in the spring, it will complete its entire cycle from seed to bloom in its very first UK summer.

The Heat Seeker: Originating from the dry, sun-drenched plains of North America, this plant is a master of survival in baking-hot conditions. It is remarkably drought-tolerant once established and actually prefers poor, sandy, or stony soil over rich, heavy garden compost. It is the perfect choice for south-facing banks and seaside gardens.

Pollinator Landing Pad: Gaillardia is a powerhouse for British biodiversity. Its wide, flat flower heads provide an ideal, sturdy landing pad for butterflies, while the nectar-rich centres are a high-value food source for honeybees and bumblebees from June until the first frosts.

Gaillardia is remarkably easy to establish from seed, provided its need for light and warmth is respected.

How to Sow:
Sow indoors from February to April to guarantee same-year flowers. Surface sow the seeds onto moist seed compost and cover with only a very fine sprinkling of vermiculite; the seeds require light to germinate. Keep at a consistent 18-21°C; seedlings typically emerge in 14-21 days.

Where to Plant:
They demand full sun to keep their mounds dense and their flower colours vibrant. Blanket Flowers require exceptionally good drainage and will struggle in heavy, waterlogged clay during a wet UK winter. If your soil is heavy, we recommend growing them in raised beds or pots amended with plenty of horticultural grit.

Ongoing Care:
The absolute secret to a long-lasting display is relentless deadheading. Once a flower fades, it forms a round, spiky seed ball; snip these off regularly to encourage the plant to put its energy into new buds rather than seed production. This simple task will keep the 'Goblin' in bloom well into late October.

The fiery red and yellow of 'Goblin' looks spectacular when paired with textural grasses or late-season glows from our collection:

• 🌾 Squirrel Tail Grass (Hordeum jubatum): The Texture Softener. The soft, shimmering pinkish-gold plumes of the grass perfectly soften the bold, graphic "target" shape of the Gaillardia flowers. Both thrive in the same dry, sunny conditions.
• 🍂 Rudbeckia 'Autumn Forest': The Hot Meadow. Pair the dwarf 'Goblin' with the taller, mahogany-gold tones of 'Autumn Forest' for a tiered, high-impact display that glows in the late summer sun and supports a huge range of pollinators.

Sow indoors in spring for a relentless blanket of bi-colour blooms from June until the first frosts.